Although the 2021-22 season has been a nightmare for the Islanders, one of the bright spots has been defenseman Noah Dobson. He has taken massive steps forward in his development, notching 10 goals and 22 assists in 54 games. Not to mention, his play has earned the trust of head coach Barry Trotz. Rather than playing just over 15 minutes a night like last season, he is averaging at least 20 minutes a game in some high-leverage spots.

However, a key for Dobson’s continued development is who plays next to him. Dobson’s defensive game has made strides as well, but it has room for improvement. As a result, the Islanders will need to give him the right piece to succeed in order for him to let him tap into his full potential. Given the Islanders’ current defensemen, who should Dobson have as his defensive partner?

Adam Pelech:

For the first candidate, it’s a defenseman who needs no introduction to Islanders’ fans. Adam Pelech is the best left-handed Islanders’ defenseman, and his strong play has continued this season.

He is usually found next to Ryan Pulock, but Pulock has had a trying year with a long-term ankle injury. While Pulock was out, Pelech had some looks with Dobson for brief stretches in game. But with Pulock back in the lineup, pairing Pelech and Dobson may not be the best course of action, given how important the pairing of Pelech and Pulock has been to the team over the last three years.

Andy Greene:

The next choice is a familiar name for Dobson. As Dobson was looking to find his footing with the Islanders in the 2019-20 season, the team acquired Andy Greene from the New Jersey Devils. While it was seen as a move to bolster their defense with Pelech out with an achilles injury, it actually benefitted Dobson a bit. It gave him a veteran presence to be a mentor for him as he started his transition to the professional level. Although it didn’t yield immediate results, it’s obvious it’s starting to make an impact this season.

Greene is still a solid defenseman. Although he isn’t playing at the level he was a few years ago, he is a low-event defenseman and not much happens when he’s on the ice. As a result, considering the past and current results, I believe Greene is the best choice for Dobson as his defensive partner.

Zdeno Chara:

When Zdeno Chara was signed by the Islanders, not only were there eyes on how he could fit on the defense, but also the impact he would have on Dobson. However, the results have been fairly mixed so far this season between the two.

The two have been together for a little bit, but there are times where the pair doesn’t work that well. At times, they can get pinned in the zone and give up some high quality chances. Considering Dobson’s faster pace and Chara’s declining ability, it may be best to keep him away from Chara, even though Trotz seems to like the pairing.

The Verdict:

After considering all the options, I believe the ideal partner for Dobson is Andy Greene. With his recent success alongside Greene, Dobson should play with him for the rest of this season.

Matthew Page

I am a first year student at Hofstra University and an avid Islanders fan. I have been writing for Drive4Five since March 2020. My family has been season ticket holders for the team since 2016, and hockey is my favorite sport. As I expand my knowledge in the field of Journalism, I am writing to express my love for the Islanders and the NHL.