Defenseman Noah Dobson, the Montreal Canadiens' key offseason acquisition, is day-to-day after suffering a groin injury Thursday night in a preseason game.

He left prior to the third period of the Canadiens' 7-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs and did not return. After the game, head coach Martin St. Louis confirmed the injury and the status of Dobson.

The Canadiens acquired Dobson, 25, in a sign-and-trade agreement with the New York Islanders on June 27 as he agreed to an eight-year, $76 million contract.

In return, the Islanders received forward Emil Heineman and both of Montreal's first-round picks (Nos. 16 and 17) in the 2025 NHL Draft. The Islanders used those selections on Swedish right winger Victor Eklund and defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson of Barrie (OHL).

Defenseman David Reinba

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