Noah Dobson and Alexander Romanov, the probably second pairing for the Islanders as soon as the season will get underway, have but to fulfill in individual. Since Romanov was traded to the Islanders on the evening of the draft, their communication has been restricted to a couple texts backwards and forwards, plus being on the identical Zoom name with media Monday when their respective contract extensions had been introduced.
The gamers, each 22 and born simply sooner or later aside, may very well be enjoying collectively for a very long time if issues go in accordance with plan.
“The little I do know watching him play, he’s clearly a gifted participant,” Dobson stated of Romanov. “He skates rather well and he’s obtained a bodily presence on the market and a excessive compete stage.”
Romanov, talking publicly for the primary time since being acquired by the Islanders, solid an excited demeanor. Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin, his countryman and former teammate with CSKA Moscow, is one in all his finest pals — and the 2 have already frolicked collectively this summer season. Getting traded shocked Romanov, however he’s enthusiastic to be with the Islanders.
“I’m able to play proper now, actually,” Romanov stated. “So simply ready for the season.”
For a lot of final yr, Dobson was partnered with Zdeno Chara. Although that blossomed right into a invaluable mentorship for Dobson, the hole in offensive talent between him and his 45-year-old counterpart was usually evident. Romanov is seen as a defense-first participant, too, however ought to present an enchancment in that division.
“All offseason, I work solely with the puck, with abilities,” Romanov stated. “Trigger I need to enhance my sport with the puck, actually. However I can also play bodily. I can also hit guys and begin assaults, like breakouts, however I need to play extra within the offensive zone.”
Dobson needs to be an excellent automobile to assist Romanov do this. He’s coming off a 51-point, breakout season and appears to be a star within the making. Taking part in alongside Romanov, the Islanders hope, will assist him attain the subsequent stage in a improvement arc that — not less than so far — has been pretty linear.
“I feel simply wanting on the strengths, Alex is sweet sufficient,” Dobson stated. “He’s an excellent skater, he is usually a good puck-mover and I feel a few of these attributes are a few of my strengths as properly. So I feel having these instruments can work properly, particularly, breaking pucks out and the transition within the offensive zone as properly.”
Dobson, who was listed at 6-foot-4, 195 kilos final season, stated he’s spent the summer season engaged on constructing extra dimension and power. After a three-year bridge deal was introduced Monday with Dobson receiving $4 million yearly, normal supervisor Lou Lamoriello stated he wished to “see somewhat bit extra” from Dobson earlier than committing long run. There'll nonetheless be an opportunity to barter a long-term deal earlier than Dobson hits unrestricted free company, although, as this contract will expire when he’s 25, nonetheless two years wanting eligibility for the open market.
“I don’t assume there’s any hype to the place he can go,” Lamoriello stated. “I feel it’s gonna be decided on his endurance and never going too quick and likewise doing all of the issues he does properly and dealing on the issues that he must work on. As a result of to get higher whenever you’re a younger participant, it's a must to commit your self to doing and dealing on issues that you simply don’t love to do. There are extraordinarily offensive gamers who don’t play protection. They don’t prefer to work at that. I feel the distinction between Noah is he's going to work on the defensive sport.
“So I'm wanting ahead to seeing the place he's this yr, like lots of people are.”
Post a Comment