Star Defenceman Now Represented by Auston Matthews' Agent Amid Trade Speculation

Sidelined since the middle of January with a lower-body injury, Islanders defenceman Noah Dobson made headlines Wednesday afternoon announcing he replaced his agent Andrew Maloney with Judd Moldaver and Olivier Fortier.

Dobson is in the final year of three-year bridge deal that carries a $4M cap hit and following a 70-point season last year, he, along with the rest of the Islanders' blueline, has struggled.

When news broke that the 6'4, 200-pound right-shot defender changed agents, speculation spiked, suggesting that a trade could be coming. Daily Faceoff's Jeff Marek was one of the first to point out that when a player switches agents, it indicates they aren't happy with how things are going or want something to happen.

Whether the change was made because he wants a fresh start, or because he wasn't happy with how negotiations are going on an extension, the timing is certainly interesting, given the fact that his name has come up in trade rumours recently.

On Sportsnet's 'The Fan Hockey Show' Elliotte Friedman pointed out that switching agents is typically done before negotiating a new deal due to commission breakdown for agents.

Whether that new deal is with the Islanders or someone else, if his name is out there, Brad Treliving should be calling because it is not often you get the opportunity to land a productive 25-year-old, right-shot, physical, offensive defenceman.

Dobson is the type of player you trade Fraser Minten and/or Easton Cowan and a first-round pick for, so long as it comes with an extension. Dobson's situation will certainly be one to keep an eye on as the trade deadline creeps closer and the Islanders decide whether they are buying or selling.