Islanders Biggest Positive Surprise of the Year: Noah Dobson Hits 50

This year was full of a lot of ups but mostly downs for the New York Islanders. Unfortunately, the Isles missed the playoffs this year after having a rough start to the season without the ability to bounce back. Between three coronavirus outbreaks, and a long road schedule to start the season, it was an uphill battle from the beginning.

Towards the middle of the season, the Islanders started to gain their footing back, but sadly it was to no avail. Throughout the year, the biggest positive surprise remained constant as Noah Dobson. Dobson had himself a year, picking up 51 points (13 goals, 38 assists) in 80 games.

The last time the Islanders had a defenseman who was able to tally more than 50 points was Mark Streit in 2008-09. Streit picked up 56 points that year off of 16 goals and 40 assists. Noah Dobson's 51 points were arguably the biggest surprise for the Islanders.

Coming into the year, nobody expected this from Dobson. It was fair to expect Dobson to pick up somewhere around 20-30 points, tops. In only his third NHL season, it's unlikely 50 points would have been a thought in anyone's mind. However, at just 22 years old, Dobson proved a lot of people wrong.

In 2019-20, Dobson picked up seven points (one goal, six assists) in his 34 games played. In the following year, Dobson picked up 14 points off three goals and 11 assists. Dobson made quite the jump this year that pleasantly surprised all of us.

At still only 22 years old, Dobson has a lot of hockey left in him. To say this kid's future is bright would be an understatement. He accomplished something quite a few defensemen have never accomplished, and he did so at a young age. The sky is truly the limit for the Islanders' star defenseman.