Noah Dobson for Norris Trophy? His Islanders teammates think so

Noah Dobson (center) celebrates with Bo Horvat and Mathew Barzal (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

ONLY IN AMNEWYORK

ELMONT, N.Y. — New York Islanders defenseman Noah Dobson continues to produce at the type of torrid pace that hasn’t been seen around this organization for decades. Not since the days of Denis Potvin.

In his first 50 games this season, the 23-year-old blueliner has 52 points — six goals and 46 assists — which has him on a pace to post the most points by a defenseman not named Potvin in Islanders franchise history.

It’s also putting him firmly in the conversation of something else that only Potvin has achieved with the franchise: The Norris Trophy. 

Dobson’s name continues to pop up as a legitimate candidate to be one of the final three finalists for the award, given annually to the NHL’s best defenseman. Potvin is the only Islander to win the award having done so three times in 1976, 1978, and 1979.

“I think it just means I’m having a good season,” Dobson told amNewYork. “Coming into this year, I knew there was another level that I wanted to get to and felt ready to get to. I feel like I’ve been able to take strides in a lot of areas that has helped my game a lot.

“For me, it means I’m doing something right to be in those conversations. But it doesn’t mean a whole lot to me. Some might pay attention to it, but for me, I have to be on top of my game to help this team try to win each night. That’s my main focus right now.”

Entering Thursday night’s matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Dobson’s 52 points ranks third amongst NHL defensemen this year, only behind Quinn Hughes (64) of the Vancouver Canucks and Cale Makar (60) of the Colorado Avalanche — both of whom seem like foregone conclusions to be finalists for the Norris. 

Dobson’s teammates certainly believe that he should be the third man in that finalist category should his production continue at this pace.

“Absolutely [he deserves to be in…