Nov 18, 2023; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; New York Islanders defenseman Noah Dobson (8) during the face off against the Calgary Flames during the first period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Perhaps it’s time to start having a legitimate conversation about New York Islanders defenseman Noah Dobson’s candidacy for the Norris Trophy, which is awarded annually to the defenseman deemed best in the NHL.
Why, you might ask? Because nobody else has talked about an Islanders defenseman in this light for a very long time.
The Islanders haven’t had a finalist (finishing in the top three) of the Norris Trophy voting in 42 years when the legendary Denis Potvin finished second to Randy Carlyle of the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1981. Potvin is the only Islander to ever win the award, doing so three times in 1975, 1978, and 1979.
No other Islander has been a finalist. Only Adrian Aucoin (2002, 2004) and Mark Streit (2009, 2010) are the other defensemen in franchise history to finish in the top 10 of the voting.
The Norris Trophy in itself is flawed. It’s more often than not given to the flashiest defenseman who puts up the best offensive numbers rather than the best defensive blueliner. Since the league’s expansion for the 1967-68 season, there have been only eight Norris Trophy winners in a non-shortened season (strike or COVID) who have recorded fewer than 60 points.
Dobson, however, is checking off the boxes to garner legitimate early consideration for the award.
Through 28 games this season, the 23-year-old has five goals with 24 assists (29 points) — fueled by a torrid streak of helpers to begin the bolstering of his resume. He has an assist in each of his last five games (eight assists in total), including three on Monday night against the Toronto Maple Leafs and another two on Wednesday against the Anaheim Ducks. Over his last eight games, he has 13 assists.
Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche, Quinn Hughes of the…
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