New York Islanders Noah Dobson: ‘I Think I’m Ready To Turn Pro’

After back to back memorial cups, Noah Dobson feels he is ready to join the New York Islanders in the NHL. I tend to agree with him.

When the New York Islanders had the 11th and 12th pick overall in 2018 they certainly weren’t expecting Oliver Wahlstrom and Noah Dobson to be there. Yet, somehow, both guys were there for the taking.

Since being drafted last year, Dobson has skyrocketed through the prospect rankings and lands himself uncontested in the number one spot.

Dobson started slow last year with the Acadie-Bathurst Titan. He had 16 points in 28 games and then he was moved to the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies and he caught fire. In 28 games he had 36 points (6 goals, 30 assists).

Then the playoffs rolled around. He would put up 29 points (8 goals, 21 assists) in 20 games on his way to his second straight Memorial Cup win.

Here’s what Noah Dobson had to say to the Journal Pioneer:

"“If you look at what I’ve accomplished with two Memorial Cups, it’s pretty hard to win three,” he said. “In my mind, I feel like I’m ready. I’ve done what I could in junior the last two or three years, so I think I’m ready to turn pro.”"

I 100 percent agree with Dobson. Don’t take this the wrong way, Dobson is not coming off as cocky. If anything he is confident and self-aware. He’s worked extremely hard throughout his career to make it to the NHL and he feels he’s ready. He just has to prove it.

Since Dobson is only 19 and playing for a Junior team it’s either NHL or back to Juniors for him, so he has to show that he belongs in camp which begins in just a few weeks.

If Dobson forces the Isles hand to keep him, they are going to be overloaded with right-handed defenseman. Ryan Pulock, Scott Mayfield, and Johnny Boychuk project as the three righties with Adam Pelech, Devon Toews, and Nick Leddy on the left side.

While many have called for Nick Leddy to be traded it might actually make more sense to clear up a spot on the right side if Dobson proves that he’s ready to go. I can’t see the Islanders healthy scratching a $6 million cap hit in Johnny Boychuk, but if Dobson shows at camp that he can play in the NHL you have to put him on the roster. He got an extended look last year, you’d have to think he has a good shot again in 2019-2020.

At the end of the day, this is a good problem to have. As we’ve talked about on the pod, both Mitch and I think Noah’s ready and so does he.