New York Islanders 2019 Training Camp Will Be A Gauntlet

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DALLAS, TX – JUNE 22: Noah Dobson poses after being selected twelfth overall by the New York Islanders during the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 22, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Defense

As New York Islanders fans we’re used to seeing guys playing for spots on the blue line at training camp. We’re just not usually excited about them.

In 2018 the New York Islanders invited Luca Sbisa and Dennis Seidenberg to training camp on PTO’s. Neither player moved the needle forward for the Islanders or fans. Of course, Sbisa was given a contract right out of camp and Devon Toews was sent to the AHL.

But this season it’s different for the Islanders blue line. This time 12th overall pick from the 2018 NHL Draft Noah Dobson is set looking to move up to the NHL.

After winning another Memorial Trophy, Dobson has done just about everything he can do at the junior level. It’s time to move up to the NHL. But it won’t be that easy.

The Islanders are already stacked on the right side of the blue line with Ryan Pulock, Scott Mayfield, and Johnny Boychuk. Not to mention that the left side of the blue line features Nick Leddy, Adam Pelech, and Devon Toews. There isn’t much room for Dobson.

If Dobson doesn’t make the NHL it’s not like he can go to the AHL where he’s only a step removed from the NHL. Drafted from the CHL, he has to wait till he turns 20 before he can go to the AHL. If Noah Dobson doesn’t make the NHL this year he goes back to junior.

Isles GM Lou Lamoriello has recently stated that Dobson will get “every opportunity” to make the roster. But Dobson is still going to have to put on a show to convince the Hall of Fame GM and take a spot from one of the Islanders veteran defenders.