Islanders’ Draft Drama: Will Noah Dobson’s $11M Demand Reshape the Team?
New York Islanders fans, brace for impact. The first overall pick in Friday’s NHL draft could redefine the franchise. Host Gil Martin dissects the Noah Dobson contract saga, exploring potential trades and the ripple effects on JG Pageau and Alexander Romanov. Is James Hagens the hometown hero the Islanders need? Martin breaks down the pros and cons of trading up for the Long Island native. With $20 million in cap space and crucial RFAs to sign, tough decisions loom large for Isles management.
Tune in for insider analysis on the Islanders’ draft strategy and the moves that could make or break their dreams of again contending for the Stanley Cup.
All this and more on today’s Locked On Islanders Podcast with Gil Martin.
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43 Comments
I can see him going to Seattle in a trade and reuniting with Lane Lambert. He seemed to do well in his system.
After isles take schaefer no.1 see if sj wants 8 for no. 2. Take a contract back to help sj sign 8. One mock draft now has isles taking hagens one. Another one says frondell goes 2 to sj. Meanwhile the flip flopper button has moved misa from 3 back up to 2. Now wings are in on 8 which makes no sense for det. with seider, edvinsson, and axl pekka coming next season. 28 would make more sense for wings who need an upgrade over petry and holl on d.
But the top five offensive defenseman and bad or terrible defensively is not a top five defenseman overall. Again, if Dobson continues with the Islanders, he needs to get that straightened out fast. We can't be losing playoff games or game sevens in the playoffs in the future because he makes egregious mistakes or he makes an egregious mistake that winds up in the back of our net that decides a game for example like overtime. Again, I don't see that big improvement happening, not worth the money. I know it gets better as time goes along with the cap, but that money could be used in different ways and not just to get one player, or to get a young and really skilled player player like Jason Robertson and, or Nikolaj Ehlers. Obviously, if it's both, some of the other players like JG etc. need to be moved out, which they should be anyway, to get younger faster and more skilled.
When Darche said that Dobson is part of the cornerstones of the team, Dobson's agent said to himself, we have them over the barrel.
Trade Dobson. Package Lee, Max, JG to get a big haul and, or prospect and assets and free up a ton of cap space. Don't re-sign Deangelo, he makes a ton of mistakes, including scoring three goals against us in two games meaning he put goal in his own net. If they want to resign a defenseman on his level Roy likes Reilly, he is an a bit of offensive dman also. And assuming that the health issues are behind him. Or go outside of the organization if they want to add another lower level, cheaper defenseman like that.
The Dobson situation has a simple solution….move him. He obviously wants out which is why the ask is so high. This team is in NO position to pay a defenseman 9+ million and piss off Barzal and Horvat at the same time…get the best return you can and move on. This will be a good test for Darche…professional hockey is first and foremost a business…you don't like it here? Buffalo is lovely in February.😊
An opening trade offer, I believe, like Dobson opening contract request is a negotiation. The Red Wings are going in their initial offer, are going to want to see if they can get Dobson for the most minimal loss of talent and or assets off of their team possible. If not, and if they really want Dobson enough to entertain giving away something substantial, then they'll add to it. Why start high, from their perspective. Also, other teams are looking at what the Islanders say to an offer like that I'm sure.
Also, I'm generally, with you about waiting until the or before the trading deadline particularly if you're not going to get what you want now, and they can play really well to increase their value, but you also risk injury, or a very bad half of the year or so, plummeting productivity, which could kill the player's value. For example, and I think you've touched on this in the past, probably not going to get more for Lee than you can right now. Slight chance that he does a little bit better. But more than likely if we're lucky he stays the same, but his productivity can very well plummet, or somewhere in between, especially since he is getting older or he could just revert to where he was two years ago, thereby decreasing his trade value and if he gets hurt we are screwed. Kind of the same with any other player. So it's a gamble.
Only trade Dobson if you get a great deal
The Detroit trade package makes absolutely no sense
See if the Sharks want an established Dobson for the #1 pick
Hey, Dobber? HIT THE ROAD, JACK!
Based on your resume, you ain’t worth a stinking dime over 8.5M!
And btw, Lil’ Dobber, ‘member your sweet fee feez was hurt from isles twitter when you played like a fermented sack of dog shit for weeks on end??? Well, heads up you’re gonna be in for a world of hurt when you frick off for 2/3 of a season on a team who’s paying you $11M 😂
How about dobson to san jose for dickerson and there 20 year old center who played for them last year
I like dobson but he isn't going to be on good standing with me if he gets 10 mill and up
The Detroit trade is the worst trade ever for a Noah dobson
Noah dobson is a top 15 defensman
Many times when we see a player fire a long time agent, hire someone new and start making crazy demands we later find out that neither the player or agent is driving the process.rather it's mommy or daddy or girl friend or wife. Executive always say that's the most difficult negotiations because while we are speaking to the agent it's actually a family member of the player calling the shots because they want a money grab. Word around the NHL is that neither Wasserman or dobson is driving the process but rather dobson girl friend. Something must have happened because we went from don't worry , standard negotiations, islanders will not trade dobson to less than 48hrs later …Islanders quietly exploring trade options for dobson. I surmise that darche contacted Wasserman and said you guys are killing me I just started. They must responded with off the record it's not us it's dobson gf and that's all it took because she has a very very specific reputation. I don't think that darche wants his first major move to be handing out an absolutely ridiculous contract to a highly flaws player because the contract becomes a benchmark for the rest of his tenure. Additionally, if reports are true and dobson gf is driving the process darche must ask himself if I sign dobson to 10mm will I have a disgruntled player because his gf wanted more money. This happened all the time in the nhl where a team signs a player and you think everyone is happy and then you hear player is unhappy because mommy and daddy wanted more money.
If Detroit really wants Dobson the conversation starts with there top prospect ASP, and the 13th pick. I would try to get the 2026 first as well
Dobson should be Traded to The Predators for number 5 plus! Trotz knows Dobson. Josi might be done with hockey who has a serious health condition and likely will have to retire. Josi’s money goes to Dobson. Dobson is Josi’s replacement! Nashville would appeal to Dobson and his Girlfriend who wants out of Long Island. Number 5 pick gives you Hagens plus. You don’t trade Romy! You trade Pelech! You wait for the trade deadline to get the most you can for JGP and Lee! We are almost on the Clock! ⏰ my gut says we pick Schaefer 1 st we deal Dobson to The Number 5 plus and we draft Hagens. Darche makes a deal and trades draft pick to land the rights to Howard. Islanders walk away with Schaefer, Hagens, Howard and we catapult into the top 10 for best prospect pool. Hopefully we are able to deal off a bit more salary besides Dobson to free up more cap space. Just because you free up cap space does not mean you go spend it as soon as you free it up!
Good 🌄, Gil. How are you? The draft is in a few days, and the rumors are still spinning. If Matheiu Darche is smart, he'll listen to offers involving Noah Dobson. Noah Dobson is lucky if he gets $8M. It would make sense for them to trade JG Pageou. He is on the other side of 30. We know what the Islanders must do get out of the muddy middle, I HOPE DARCHE MAKES THE SMART MOVES TO DO IT.
James Hagens s still making it known that he wants to play for the Islanders. HAPPY 🎂, PAUL STANTON. He scored an assist in win over the 🐈. Hear from you later, Gil. I finished ⌚️ Game 4 of the 80 Finals. What a game that was. 🔑 moment, when Garry Howatt set up Trots for the GW goal in the 3rd period. Now, LET'S GO ISLANDERS.
When I looked at the teams playing in the cup finals, none of them had a D-man whose defensive play was as poor as Dobson. Wouldn’t go longer than 3 years or higher than $7.5 mil. If his scoring gets back to his peak and he improves his play in his own zone then open the checkbook. Otherwise would trade but Darche cannot set a precedent overpaying and not getting value.
Dobson was horrible against Carolina in the playoffs. 1 power play goal all season. Tony D is a much better power play option. He ain’t worth 5 million.
If trading a 25 year old defenseman makes sense to Darche he’s obviously not the right choice. First person who needs to go is Pelech. Then buy out the waste of space mayfield. Send engvall back down to Bridgeport. I’d rather see every college kid play this year than watch what we saw again last season.
If they both played 76 games for DET tells you they are reliable players. Maybe take Pageau and Duclair in a package to return picks and youth. DET is looking for experience since they are well into their rebuild and want to reward their vets with an improved team.
Dobson is absolutely worth $9.5 in a growing cap era. How much does Nurse make and he signed his deal how long ago? Dobson issue has always been his partner. Romy is garbage positionally. Pelech was his best partner. Strapping him to Chara and Greene didnt help his production or growth. If he is traded, it is full on rebuild and we will suck for next several years. Schaefer makes Romy expendable. Bye. What partner you putting with Schaefer? TDA? Pulock? Mayfield? Dobson/Schaefer will be phenomenal. If he is traded, it better be for an absolute hall, and it better not just be for 4th OA to grab Hagens, the undersized prospect.
You offer Dobson 8x$8M, best and final, and you trade him if (when) he says no. He's not worth more than that.
Any Isaac Howard rumors? I'd like to see him in an Isles uniform. Connection with our new GM might help the situation. Thanks!
Good morning team! Gil, this one is going to be short and sweet. Even though this deal will be through Dobson's "prime years," the risk of paying $9M/year for 8 years is not worth the reward. Because, at that point, we're assuming his inconsistencies will all be gone, and you know what happens when we assume, right? Everyone, have a great day! If you're out in this scorching heat please try to stay hydrated and take plenty of breaks. If you're somewhere that is not experiencing this heat for the next few days, then it's life as usual. See you all again tomorrow. Until then.. Let's Go Islanders!!
Good morning Gil. Always a pleasure to listen to your analysis and information regarding all things Islanders. I don't touch that supposed Detroit offer, for Noah Dobson, with a ten foot pole. I'm hoping that, if we do indeed trade Dobson, we're able to consummate a trade with San Jose for the #2 pick. Then we go with Schaefer with the #1 pick, and Misa with the #2. That, right there, is a big time rebuild. And that's what i'm looking for. Noah had one great season, but regressed. He's no Griffin Reinhart, but he's not even worth $9 million. Those two Red Wings, in the so called rumored trade, are third line players. No thanks. When all is said and done, if Dobson signs for a team friendly deal, and we pick Schaefer with the #1, we'll be stacked on D for years to come. Pistachio ice cream Gil.
Kryou, Jiriceck, and 19th?
At the moment, Dobson I think is worth $8M AAV. I don't believe he's the best position player on the team, so why should they pay him as such.
Gil, the answer to your question is Paul Stanton. And, I believe Misa will be more durable than Hagens.
Get rid of him, he makes terrible passes in his own zone, consistently turns the puck over in his own zone and he is a plus/minus -16!
I almost think that asking for an AAV that high is a polite way of asking for a trade: e.g. I don't want to be here, but if you offer me a huge bag of money, I'll tolerate it.
Watched Schaffer talk, play. Maybe he can play in the Show out of the gate. Seems older.I wouldn’t offer Dobson more than around 50 for 6 with incentives . But I really hope they’re dangling Romanoff. That guy is a liability
6 million a year take it or leave it
Ask Dallas Dobson and JG for Robertson?
Hi Gil! Hope you’re well. I’m done with Dobson—-am I the only one who feels every time this guy has the puck, he either gives it away or can’t get it out of the zone—-8m? Not even that. Do the Wings thing we’re stupid? That’s a crap proposal and anytime you hang players out to dry like that—it’s your junk. Dobson should only be in play for Jj and especially Robertson. I’ve been saying it Gil—-this Gm plans to “Stamp” this team his come the 27th. Been saying it—-Isles need a major shakeup and trading JG, Dobber and finding a way to have Schaffer and Hagens would be monumental! Roll the dice and just get in the game! I feel Brazeau is a must—-huge kid and can throw—-Romy? If the price is right. It’s going to be an exciting week! Lastly—-Dobson has a down year—-that’s his problem. I think this Gm is sharp—he’s not gonna Pay that guy that kind of $$$ ——He is a pure defensive liability. I’d rather take that part of that $$$ and acquire grit and sandpaper—-these kids will need protection—-or a pure sniper. take care Gil.
I say keep dobson you know he can play injures really screwed everything up last year and you cannot pay more then 7999999
As far as Dobson, like the player alot, but we really cannot afford to pay him with our Cap situation. LGI
I wouldn't pay no attention to Detroit and them trying to low ball. However I would be fine trading Dobson if it's a good deal for us & if Dobson and his agent wants to play hardball. May as well get something back in return whilst his value is there before it completely falls off a cliff
I would trade him for either 2nd, 3rd, or 4th pick…. i think he will be traded to Utah for the 4th pick… utah is desperate for a pp point man….
Dobson is a flip flopper on his Loyalty to the Islanders and that tells me all I need to know he needs to go Gil. My summation whatever team Dobson goes to at best is 6×6.5 Mil.
This situation with Dobson just further proves the Palmieri contract only screwed us