If there is one positive to be taken away from this failed 2021-22 Islanders’ season, it is Noah Dobson.

Dobson has arguably been the team’s most valuable player this year. Dobson, just 22-years-old, is only starting to show a glimpse of his true potential. At six-foot-four, Dobson has a frame large enough to be physical, and he also has the speed, skill and talent to move effortlessly up and down the ice and make plays.

Dobson has 10 goals and 24 assists in 55 games. He has the third-most points on the team, having more than forwards Josh Bailey, Anders Lee, Anthony Beauvillier, J.G. Pageau, Zach Parise, Oliver Wahlstrom and Kyle Palmieri, plus defensemen Adam Pelech and Scott Mayfield.

In this 2021-22 season, Dobson is ranked 22nd in points among NHL defensemen. He has more points than notable defensemen like Torey Krug, Thomas Chabot, Alex Pietrangelo, Drew Doughty, John Klingberg, Miro Heiskanen, Jaccob Slavin, Erik Karlsson and Dougie Hamilton.

Dobson seems to be getting better and better this season. His confidence appears to be rising, and it is showing in his game. He is less hesitant and not afraid to make big plays in big moments. What is even crazier is that Dobson is, as previously mentioned, only 22-years-old. In just three NHL seasons, Dobson has improved dramatically.

During the 2019-20 season, Dobson played 34 games and recorded seven points. During the 2020-21 season, Dobson played in 46 games and recorded 14 points. So far, during the 2021-22 season, Dobson has, once again, played in 55 games and recorded 34 points. The improvements Dobson is making so early in his career are enormous.

A huge indication of Dobson’s improvement has been his shots on goal total in each season since entering the NHL. During the 2019-20 season, Dobson played 34 games and had 37 shots on goal. During the 2020-21 season, Dobson played in 46 games and had 69 shots on goal. And finally, during the 2021-22 season, Dobson has recorded 145 shots on goal in his 55 games. That is a massive increase and this indicates an increased level of confidence. When a player is more confident, they are more likely to shoot the puck and not shy away from making the big play.

The 2021-22 NHL season has been extremely difficult for the Islanders. The team has failed mightily, and all signs point towards them missing the postseason. However, if there is one positive for the Islanders, it is Dobson.

Ethan Halle

Ethan is an Economics Major at the University of Florida looking to pursue a double major in Sports Management with a minor in political science.