New York Islanders Five Bold Predictions for 2019-20 NHL Season

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UNIONDALE, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 17: (L-R) Noah Dobson #45 and Derick Brassard #10 of the New York Islanders celebrate Brassard’s third period goal against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on September 17, 2019 in Uniondale, New York. The Islanders defeated the Flyers 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Noah Dobson Makes Top Three For Calder

He’s going to make his debut with the New York Islanders this season. The 19-year-old defenseman with two Memorial Cups under his belt has made the jump to the NHL.

During the preseason he showed Barry Trotz and Lou Lamoriello that he’s good enough to play in the NHL today and not to stick him in the minors for yet another year where he’d likely regress.

I think Noah Dobson brings a bit of everything to the table. He’s great and defending the line, he has good gap control, he can move the puck through the neutral zone, he knows when to pinch in the offensive zone, and he can produce.

I’m not confident that he can win, because I’m not confident with those responsible for voting. Defensemen don’t typically win the Calder. Only three have won the award over the last 17 years, or 18 percent of the time over that period.

The last three defensemen to win the rookie of the year award was Aaron Ekblad in 2014-15 with 39 points, Tyler Myers in 2009-10 with 48 points, and Barret Jackman in 2002-03 with 19 points.

I think Noah Dobson can absolutely get that type of production while also showing off that he can control a game defensively for the already defensively sound New York Islanders.

Dobson will without a doubt be the better rookie defensemen starting this season in the NHL. He’ll finish in the top three for rookies at the end of the season. Just watch.