The New York Islanders have a lot of decisions to make this offseason, specifically regarding the team’s long-term future. Despite posing as contenders, there is a lot of uncertainty in the current roster, leaving the future of the core up in the air. One player currently getting a lot of buzz is defenseman Noah Dobson, with many fans saying he should be rewarded with a contract extension. However, there are many reasons that he should not, at least for now.
Who is Noah Dobson?
Dobson is a 6-foot-4, 200-pound defenseman who has played an integral role in the Islanders’ past few seasons. Despite having just six points in his final 17 games, he finished last season with 10 goals and 70 points in 79 games. At just 24 years old, he has likely not yet reached his potential, and his right-handedness makes him all the more valuable.
Dobson’s 2023-24 season can be summarized by one word: fatigue. He was used tirelessly due to the Islanders’ defensive injuries and coaching changes. He averaged over 25 minutes per game for much of the season and led the team in overall ice time by nearly 300 minutes. He was forced into roles he had never played such as the penalty kill and late-game defensive schemes. While his finish to the season was disappointing, it is hard to get mad at him given his especially stressful season.
The 2024-25 Season Has a Lot On the Line
Do not get me wrong, Dobson is a fantastic defenseman and should remain an Islander for a long time. I gave him an “A” rating for last season, and the Islanders would have never been close to making the playoffs if it were not for them. Despite this, a contract extension shouldn’t be the team’s current priority. The Islanders barely made the playoffs last season and were dismantled in five games by the Carolina Hurricanes in the first round. While there are many reasons to believe this season could be different, the outcome could go either way.
Related: New York Islanders 2023-24 Report Cards: Noah Dobson
Two main factors suggest this season should see improvement for the Islanders. First, the defense will be healthy. Adam Pelech, Ryan Pulock, and Scott Mayfield missed a combined 97 games last season, forcing the remaining healthy defensemen to take on heightened roles. With a fully healthy defense, the team should return to being one of the better defensive groups in the NHL. What this means for Dobson’s offensive totals is unclear; he could continue his offensive dominance with additional rest,…
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