Islanders: Three takeaways from Devon Toews trade to Colorado

Noah Dobson (and Andy Greene) SZN

With Toews gone, there’s now a spot open on the blue line for the New York Islanders. According to Lou Lamoriello, that spot goes to youngster Noah Dobson.

He didn’t get much playing time in 2019-20, but what we saw from the New York Islanders 12th overall pick at the 2018 NHL draft was promising. Sure, he made some mistakes along the way. That Kasperi Kapanen nutmeg from January against the Maple Leafs sticks out at the moment. But what 20-year-old rookie isn’t going to make a mistake from time to time? Mathew Barzal is 23 and he still makes mistakes.

The New York Islanders have to weigh the good and the bad. And what Dobson brings to the table is largely positive. And he’s only going to get better. Next season, Dobson will have a chance to showcase his abilities and talent by playing a full season.

There’s just one issue, Dobson is a righty and Toews is a lefty. Playing Noah Dobson out of position wasn’t a good idea in 2019-20 when he stepped in for an injured Adam Pelech. Playing him out of position next season won’t be a good idea either. That’s where veteran Andy Greene comes in.

He’s not going to cost a lot on the cap if the Islanders re-sign him (something Lou hinted to after the Toews trade) and the Greene-Dobson pair did well during the second training camp in 19-20. The way Barry Trotz talked about that pair made fans think he was ready to start them over Nick Leddy and Johnny Boychuk for the postseason.

With Toews gone and the Greene-Dobson pair stepping in, the Islanders would have the following defensive pairings:

Adam Pelech-Ryan Pulock
Nick Leddy-Scott Mayfield
Andy Greene-Noah Dobson

That could very well be a solid defensive core next season as the Islanders look to put up a more consistent season in 2020-21 than they did last season.