NY Islanders defenseman Noah Dobson leads the NHL in this goal scoring category

Advancements in technology over the last few seasons allow NHL fans access to stats never seen before. The NHL's creation of NHL Edge visualizes the size, speed, and where these players like to operate on the ice.

Noah Dobson, who has emerged as one of the league's top, young, offensive-defenseman, is the league's top goalscorer from the right side of the blue line since the NHL began tracking these statistics in 2021.

Over this span, Dobson has scored 11 goals from his perch on the right side, more than any other player.

Though 11 goals doesn't seem like many, it is arguably the most difficult place to score from on the ice, aside from behind the goal. Right-handed defensemen aren't as easy to come by, especially offensively gifted ones, and that area is also the furthest from goal, meaning beating the goaltender clean is almost out of the question.

According to NHL Edge, five of Dobson's 11 goals from this area came during the 2021-22 season, four in 2022-23, and just two last season.

Over that same span, Cale Makar leads the league with 18 goals from the middle of the blue line, and Victor Hedman from the left side with seven.

An emerging star

Dobson's stock has been on the rise over the last three seasons, with last year being his biggest step toward becoming a premier defenseman in the NHL.

His 70 points last year (10 G, 60 A) were good for seventh best in the league and he has become the Islanders quarterback from the blue line on the power play.

After signing a 3-year bridge deal in the summer of 2022, Dobson has just one year remaining on his current contract before becoming an RFA. The 24-year-old is eligible to sign a new contract at any time, but the question remains whether Lou Lamoriello will look to lock up his top defenseman soon or let the season play out before making a final decision.