Most ridiculous trope on HFB this year:
Saying yes to signing Dobson for 9 but no for 10 or 11 - absolutely illogical.
I kind of wonder what people are thinking, too. I mean, the 10.6M is 25% over 8.5M, and the cap is going up 25% over the next few years (at or before the midpoint on the contract). So a number between 10M and 11M is what NYI should expect Dobson wants.
I think the issues are, 'what does Dobson actually want?', 'do the Islanders want to continue with Dobson as part of their core?', and 'how does drafting Schaefer affect that decision?'
I think the question about whether Dobson fits NYI's expected window brings up more questions about potentially dealing Horvat and Barzal. As a NYI fan, I do NOT think a full break down is in the plans, but I could be wrong.
As for defensive play, I don't think Dobson is really a liability. The issue this past season was turnovers, and forcing passes that weren't there. But this wasn't just him - NYI really lacked transition options up and down the lineup because Barzal was injured. I don't really think people have a conception of how bad that was. That said, Dobson still had a high-50s expected goals %.
(To explain, Dobson isn't the kind of transition player who does it by himself. He won't dangle up ice, but he's deadly on 4 on 3's.)
When Dobson plays with other mobile skilled players, really good things happen.
Last, my feeling is that dealing back into the draft is something is worthwhile if one of a group of players will be available - not just Hagens. NYI need explosive players, or players with high paces of play. So any of Hagens, Martin, Eklund, or potentially Bear fit the bill. It doesn't have to be Hagens. I'd be almost as happy with Eklund as I'd be with Hagens.
I’m a trade historian.
