Projecting Noah Dobson's Next Contract with the NY Islanders

RASMUS DAHLIN/OWEN POWER, BUFFALO SABRES

The Buffalo Sabres recently signed their two franchise defensive cornerstones, Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power, to long-term contract extensions. Dahlin, the first overall pick of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, signed an eight-year contract worth $11M AAV. Power, the first overall pick of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, signed a seven-year contract worth $8.35M AAV. Both contracts were signed in October 2023 and start with the 2024-25 season. As first overall picks, both Dahlin and Power have a gravitas that Dobson doesn't exactly possess. However, his career has statistically been just as impressive.

Dahlin and Dobson were both drafted in 2018; Dahlin was drafted first, and Dobson was drafted twelfth. Since then, for their careers, Dahlin has 0.67 points per game, and Dobson has 0.57 points per game. Additionally, the highest Dahlin has finished in Norris voting is 8th; again, Dobson seems primed for a higher finish this season.

Power, meanwhile, is three years younger than Dahlin and Dobson and was coming off of his entry-level contract when he signed his deal. Therefore, the $8.35M AAV is low with regard to Dobson.