The Montreal Canadiens may have opened their season with a 5–2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, but not everything about the night was a defeat. Zachary Bolduc scored in his first game wearing the bleu-blanc-rouge, and newcomer Noah Dobson quietly delivered what many analysts called a composed, intelligent debut.
But not everyone saw it that way.
Former Canadiens defenseman Gilbert Delorme sparked controversy with his blunt live comments on BPM Sports:
“I did not find Dobson good, not at all! I found him nonchalant the whole darn game!”
The reaction was swift. Fans flooded social media, surprised by the harshness of Delorme’s critique after just one game. Many defended Dobson’s performance, pointing to his calm puck handling, smart positioning, and clean breakouts.
Hockey analyst Marco D’Amico was among the first to respond:
“Noah Dobson had a solid debut game with the Montreal Canadiens. Calm, mobile, great on breakouts and smart stick positioning. He certainly reassured his new fan base with this strong performance.”
Dobson, acquired this summer from the New York Islanders, was one of the most anticipated additions to Martin St. Louis’ squad. While the team didn’t secure a win, several observers noted that Dobson played exactly as expected for a modern defenseman—initiating attacks, avoiding costly mistakes, and maintaining composure under pressure.
The debate has highlighted a broader question: how quickly should a player be judged? While Delorme’s criticism reflects the intensity of Montreal’s hockey culture, many fans and analysts argue that Dobson’s debut showed promise, not passivity.
As the Canadiens prepare for their next matchup, one thing is clear—Noah Dobson’s performance will be under the microscope, and the conversation around him is just getting started.