Dobson proved well worth the 12th pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft with 13 goals and 51 points in 80 games for the Islanders this season.
Dobson is the best offensive defenseman for the Islanders, and there isn't a close second. General manager Lou Lamoriello has stated that finding another defender with offensive ability is a priority this offseason. A skeptic might tell you that the Islanders had Devon Toews and, to a lesser extent, Nick Leddy before trading them over the past two offseasons, so this is a self-made deficiency. Dobson will have to play with a different defense partner if neither Zdeno Chara nor Andy Greene re-sign with the team next season.