Noah Dobson unsure if he'll be looking for a long-term extension or bridge deal with the NY Islanders

It wasn’t the season Noah Dobson or the NY Islanders were hoping for regarding the 25-year-old defenseman. Coming off a career-best 70-point (10 G, 60 A) season in 2023-24, there were expectations for Dobson to take that step into the next echelon of offensive-defensemen. 

Unfortunately for the Islanders and Dobson, his numbers dropped significantly, finishing with 39 points (10 G, 29 A) - 31 points fewer than the season before.

Dobson unsure of path he'll take in terms of a new contract

Finishing up the final year of his 3-year deal worth $4M annually, Dobson is set to be a restricted free agent and will be looking for a new deal this summer.

At the Islanders' clean-out day this morning, Dobson expressed that he’s still unsure if he’ll be looking for a bridge deal or a long-term extension. 

“I think [I’m] open to anything,” Dobson told reporters. “Obviously it's got to work for both sides. With things changing around the league there’s lots of options and now’s the time we’ll kind of sit down with me and my agents and we’ll figure out what’s best and then talk to the team and Lou [Lamoriello] and what’s best on their end, and try to come together.”

Those changes Dobson is speaking of are in regards to the increase in the salary cap ceiling for next season. Teams will have much more money to spend, and Dobson will of course be looking for what’s best on his end.

Neal Pionk, who is four years older than Dobson, recently signed a six-year extension with the Winnipeg Jets that will see him earn $7M annually. Pionk is coming off the second-best offensive season of his career, putting up identical numbers to Dobson.

Dobson will surely be looking for more than Pionk received, leaving the Islanders to decide what is best for the organization moving forward.