Was Lamoriello Right Not To Extend Dobson Long Term Last Summer?

Did New York Islanders general manager Lou Laamoriello make the right decision last summer to not sign RFA defenseman Noah Dobson to a long-term deal?

At 22, Noah Dobson emerged as the offensive defenseman for the New York Islanders, potting 13 goals and 38 assists in 2021-22. Not only was he quick in transition, but he did not lack the confidence to carry the puck up and make plays.

He led the Islanders with 190 shots on goal, and his 51 points were second-most on the team. 

As a pending restricted free agent, there were multiple ways to handle his next contract. 

General manager Lou Lamoriello decided to go the bridge-deal route, as the two sides put pen to paper on a three-year deal worth $12 million ($4M AAV) last summer.

Here was the reason Lamoriello provided as to why a long-term deal wasn't the route he went with his young defenseman.

"Well, certainly, there's always an opportunity to do that. But where we feel Noah is at right now, to make that decision, you know, from his group's point of view, we have to see more with Noah," Lamoriello said. 

"You know, he has to continue to grow the way he did this year. So we certainly would love to sign any player as long as we can, for the right cap hit, the right price, and I think we have to see a little more from Noah to make that long-term decision."

For as good as Dobson was offensively in 2021-22, there needed to be growth on the defensive side of the puck. 

His play behind the Islanders' net and in front of goal were two areas that needed major work for him to become more reliable, especially when games were on the line. 

When the 2022-23 season began, Dobson and newcomer Alexander Romanov, a pair of 22-year-olds, were paired together. But it was a nightmarish start, as Romanov dealt with growing pains in the new system while Dobson continued to make the defensive-zone mistakes he had made in previous years.

The duo was split up, with Dobson eventually playing more minutes with Sebastian Aho, while Romanov played with Scott Mayfield.

Although Romanov showed significant improvements on both sides of the puck after the All-Star break, Dobson didn't show enough.

That doesn't mean Dobson didn't improve at all.

After 82 giveaways in 80 games (1.025 per) in 2021-22, Dobson cleaned up his act with just 42 in 78 games (.538 per). That was a major and welcomed change for the Islanders. 

His takeaways were up from 27 in 2021-22 to 39 this past season. 

While those numbers improved, so did his shot count, finishing with 206, a new career-high. 

But numbers tell part of a story. 

Dobson's defensive zone struggles continued, making errand plays behind his net or too easily boxed out in front of goal. 

Back in mid-February, Lambert had one of his strongest showings as a head coach, as he led a grueling practice focused on the little details--like boxing out. 

As he did during the season, Dobson struggled with the drill, and Lambert called him out on more than one occasion. 

"It's part of the game," Dobson said following that practice on Feb. 13. "We're all grown-ups around here where we can take a beating when it's needed […] So I think that was the main message, just making sure we're taking care of our details…."

Yes, Dobson tied his career high in goals with 13.

But after potting 10 goals through 31 games, Dobson scored just three more times over his final 47 games. 

He had no goals over the final 10 games of the season and none in the six postseason games. 

Crisp passing and keep-ins were another issue, as it seemed that the role had taken a mental toll on him because he had shown, even a year ago, that he has the tools to be the guy.

"He was trending well, but seemed confused at times this season," an NHL scout told THN. "He was out of position and lost his man on countless occasions. He often failed to transition the puck out of his own zone, be that passing or skating. However, with some sound direction, Dobson can still be a no. 3 or 4 defensemen."

The Islanders were relying on him to be the guy, and although he is not solely responsible for the Islanders finishing with the third-worst power play in the NHL at 15.8 percent, he bears some responsibility. 

It took until Game 87 for Lambert to take Dobson off the top power play, with the Islanders down 3-2 in their series against Carolina, a Game Six that they lost in overtime, with the power play going 0-for-3, 1-for-18 in the series. 

"Yeah, I think we try to make adjustments. At the end of the day, you can say all you want before going out there. It comes down to the guys on the ice, The execution, stuff like that, so it's on us," Dobson said. "It didn't go our way, but I think we can take a lot from it, learn from that where things went wrong, and correct it so next year, those same things."

An NHL source around the NHL Trade Deadline told The Hockey News that Lamoriello had checked in on some defensemen, one being San Jose Sharks and likley Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson. 

The ask started with Dobson, per the source. Conversations ended. 

There's belief in this kid, and rightfully so and he's rather excited to get to work this summer.

"I did some things I liked a lot, and obviously, I'm excited to use this summer, an opportunity where I can work on things still and keep getting better with my game," Dobson said. "It's a long year. There's always ups and downs [...] I'm excited to keep getting better and work on some things as well."

Dobson is 23, battling through some adversity, which is needed to grow. This summer is a critical one for Dobson, who needs to take strides defensively, but also needs to find within himself more of the belief that he can be a difference-maker on a nightly basis. 

Because, as mentioned, he can be. 

"I think I've always had the confidence. I just thought sometimes things came easier. Things came harder at different times," Dobson said. "There's times where I felt I was playing really well, but you weren't getting results, and there's times where you're not playing great, but you're getting the results. So there's ebbs and flows, but I'm excited about where I am. 

"I'm excited that I still have room to grow and keep getting better as a player. And that's exciting for me just continuing to work on my game."

Teammate Ryan Pulock was asked about what he saw from Dobson this season and gave a heck of an answer:

The New York Islanders need to see that defensive growth from Noah Dobson in 2023-24. 

That doesn't mean he needs to be a shutdown defender like Pelech or a hard-hitting player like Romanov. 

Dobson just needs to be responsible with the puck in his own zone, and do more of the little things on a nightly basis to help the Islanders get pucks into enemy territory.