BSH 2018 Community Draft Board, No. 9: Noah Dobson

The run of defensemen continues on the Comunity Draft Board. Up next: Noah Dobson.

BSH 2018 Community Draft Board, No. 9: Noah Dobson

Position / Team: RD / Acadie-Bathurst Titan, (QJMHL)
2017-18 Statistics: 17 G, 52 A in 67 GP
Size: 6’3” 179

Pre-draft rankings

No. 5 (NA Skaters) by NHL Central Scouting
No. 10 by Future Considerations
No. 9 by ISS Hockey
No. 20 by Pronman/The Athletic

What’s there to like?

After hearing about the major knock on Evan Bouchard being his skating, we transition into a guy in Dobson whose skating may be his biggest asset. Dobson is among the likes of Adam Boqvist and Quinn Hughes with his skating ability, and may just be the best skater of that bunch. He was lethal on the power play with Acadie-Bathurst this season, scoring the most 5-on-4 power play goals in the QMJHL by a defenseman. Most of which coming by his one-timer which is arguably one of the best in this year’s draft class.

While his power play production is great, his 5-on-5 production is also something to behold. Dobson was second among QMJHL defensemen in 5-on-5 points, and third in primary points. Dobson’s offensive prowess will definitely be a point of emphasis for the team that drafts him.

From what I’ve read so far about Dobson, his defensive skills are also put on display more often than not. There aren’t too many videos showcasing these skills, but Dobson has the frame already to be physical in his own zone. Getting closer to the 195 pound range is most likely going to be key for Dobson this off-season.

What’s not to like?

The questions with Dobson seem to revolve around his hands and some of his gap control. As Corey Pronman of The Athletic suggests in his midseason rankings article, Dobson’s hands are “average”. So whether that actually creates an issue as he progresses through higher levels, is unknown. In a scouting report on Elite Prospects it mentions “he needs to work on his speed in gap closing”. This sounds like something that should be an easier fix than his hands, but only time will tell.

How would he fit in the Flyers’ system?

Dobson would be right up there with Phil Myers in terms of prospect rankings. Both are right-handed defensemen with fairly similar offensive attributes. He would absolutely be a great second power play unit guy to follow up the likes of Shayne Gostisbehere, giving the Flyers possibly the most lethal group of power play defensemen in the league.

Could the Flyers actually get him?

With Dobson, it’s strange. I could definitely imagine him going earlier than expected and also later than expected. Now if he slips all the way to 14 I’d be a little surprised, but it’s not completely unreasonable to think. I still believe the need for defensemen from the top 10 teams will take Dobson off the board.

Additional reading

2018 NHL Draft prospect profile: Defenceman Noah Dobson has size, speed, and skill

Dobson’s biggest asset is his skating, and he uses his smooth strides along with great edgework to make plays happen at both ends of the ice. He’s not a small body at 6’3”, but he’s able to glide in and out of opposing teams’ defences with ease, thus allowing himself and teammates more space to try to make plays happen.

2018 NHL Entry Draft Prospect Profile: Noah Dobson (Defending Big D)

Most of the questions surrounding Dobson are his offensive upside. Having the tools for offense is not the same as being offensive. Obviously, Dobson nets a lot of points, and that’s great. But he doesn’t have quick hand speed, and in the footage I’ve drawn from, I don’t think he’s uniquely adept at finding passing lanes in multiple directions. Since I’ve already mentioned him, Lindell is again a nice point of (not comparison) reference; you would never think of Lindell as offensively limited given his 42 points his rookie year in the AHL, but at the NHL level, nobody thinks of him as an offense-driver. Of course, Dobson is a much better skater, and Lindell is a top-four defender in the NHL anyway, so these aren’t red flags either.

Since we’ve reached the vote for the 10th pick, let’s give all of you some more options with two players added to the poll.

Barrett Hayton — C, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL) — 21 G, 39A in 63 GP

A former top-10 pick in the OHL Priority Selection, Barrett Hayton is one of the fastest climbing prospects in this year’s NHL Entry Draft – and with good reason. Hayton is a smart, do-it-all center that some scouts think has a Patrice Bergeron vibe to his game and he is definitely going to make someone drafting in the 5-15 range very happy.

— via Mile High Hockey

Isac Lundestrom — C/LW, Lulea HF (SHL) — 6 G, 9 A, 42 GP

His passing is usually sharp and accurate from, and to, all positions on the ice, and his play with the puck really is his strength. The play without the puck needs to be improved, and it seems that the coaches in Luleå are using the penalty kill as their development tool. Defensive reads and gaps in the defensive zone are the main areas for improvement.

— via Habs Eyes on the Prize

2018 BSH Community Draft Board

1. Rasmus Dahlin — D, Frolunda (SHL) (no vote)
2. Andrei Svechnikov — RW, Barrie (OHL) (60% of the vote)
3. Filip Zadina — LW, Halifax (QMJHL) (74%)
4. Brady Tkachuk — LW, Boston University (NCAA) (57%)
5. Oliver Wahlstrom — C/RW, USNTDP (USHL) (40%)
6. Quinn Hughes — D, Michigan University (NCAA) (50%)
7. Adam Boqvist — D, Brynas IF (SHL) (42%)
8. Evan Bouchard — D, London (OHL) (49%)
9. Noah Dobson — D, Acadie-Bathurst (QMJHL) (50%)

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Please use your vote below to answer the following question: If all of the players listed were available when the Flyers were on the clock, who would you want them to pick?

Who should be No. 10 on the 2018 BSH Community Draft Board?