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Noah Dobson has been the lone player in the Islanders’ top four who hasn’t dealt with injuries this season, but his status is a major concern after Monday night.
Dobson left the 3-1 win over the Blue Jackets at the 1:16 mark of the third period with what appeared to be a leg injury after taking a hit from Cole Sillinger.
The video shows Dobson’s right leg appearing to bend the wrong way as he falls to the ice.
Coach Patrick Roy did not give an update on the defenseman’s status after the game.
“I haven’t talked to anyone yet,” Roy said. “So we’ll probably have more to say tomorrow.”
Dobson, who plays on the Islanders’ top power-play unit and averages 24:12 of ice, would represent a massive loss for a defense corps which has dealt with nonstop injuries all season long.
Noah Dobson injures his leg during the Islanders-Blue Jackets game on Jan. 20, 2025. Screengrab
Noah Dobson injures his leg during the Islanders-Blue Jackets game on Jan. 20, 2025. ScreengrabThe Islanders got Alexander Romanov back Monday after the Russian missed Saturday’s loss to the Flyers with an upper-body injury but are now facing the potential loss of the other half of their top pairing in Dobson.
If Dobson does miss time, Dennis Cholowski would likely slot back into the lineup.
This isn’t the first time Kyle Palmieri’s name has been thrown around going into the NHL trade deadline, and if the Islanders move the winger, it won’t be the first time he’s been dealt, either.
But there is one difference between now and any other time Palmieri’s had to worry about being traded.
“Knowing [Islanders general manager] Lou [Lamoriello] as well as we do, I don’t think there’s a ton of rumors out there other than just being rumors,” Palmieri said before the Isles faced Columbus on Monday. “For me, I’m just focused on the guys on this team and whatever happens, happens. That’s really just out of my control.”
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Lamoriello, who keeps an airtight seal on information, said earlier this month that he was not focused on being a seller at the trade deadline, and thought the Islanders could still make a run at a playoff spot.
Palmieri holds a 16-team no-trade list, but as a proven goalscorer, would likely get the Islanders at least a second or third-round pick from a playoff team as a rental.
“It’s not easy [to deal with],” Palmieri said. “Obviously you listen, turn on the TV, whatever it is. Those rumors circulate. But I think realistically, you have to stay focused.”
Hudson Fasching (upper body) skated Monday in a non-contact jersey for the first time since getting hurt on Jan. 5.
“He’s day to day, [making] progress and we’ll see how it goes,” Roy said.
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