New York Islanders Three Takeaways from First Preseason Game

Noah Dobson Outstanding
He’s 18-years-old. Drafted 12th overall in the 2018 NHL Entry draft by the New York Islanders. Noah Dobson was a highly touted prospect for his poise on the puck at such a young age and for his scoring touch.
Noah Dobson looked the part in his first showing for the Islanders. Paired with Nick Leddy on the top defensive line, Dobson looked like this is his third or fourth camp, and not his very first.
He looked poised, calm, mature, and responsible out there on the ice. His decision making was sound and was always in the right position. And he added an assist on Cal Clutterbuck’s power-play goal. Again, he’s 18-years-old.
He’s probably not going to play in the NHL this season. The fact that he wears number 45 rather than something under 30 is a little telling. Although I guess that can change at any point.
But the Acadie-Bathurst Titan’s blueliner isn’t far off from the NHL. Again, it’s still early in the preseason, but from what I could see Dobson looks absolutely comfortable and confident. It’s not often that a defender is NHL ready this early in their careers.
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Next. Interesting Narratives From Isles Three Training Camp Groups
The New York Islanders play another five times over the next six days. Lou Lamoriello and Barry Trotz are going to learn a lot about the players in their system over the next week. Hockey is back.