Ben Shelley: Five storylines to track heading into the season

Dobson makes the team, Sbisa is the 8th dman, and Leddy is moved.

Leddy will be moved only if it is evident that Dobson can be reliable. No way LL creates a gap on D before season starts.

Leddy will be moved only if it is evident that Dobson can be reliable. No way LL creates a gap on D before season starts.
- ziggy_skalica

Dobson is the real deal. No way he goes back to junior.

Leddy will be moved only if it is evident that Dobson can be reliable. No way LL creates a gap on D before season starts.
- ziggy_skalica

💯 which is really hard to do in the small sample size that’s training camp/preseason.

Dobson is the real deal. No way he goes back to junior.
- kindlyrick

Just because he’s the real deal doesn’t mean he won’t go back to junior. There’s a lot of different factors that’ll go into that decision and him playing great in a few preseason games is far from the only one. If lameriello has a trade for Leddy in place that’ll help us up front that’ll help Dobson’s cause but it’s far from a sure thing he stays imo.

Just because he’s the real deal doesn’t mean he won’t go back to junior. There’s a lot of different factors that’ll go into that decision and him playing great in a few preseason games is far from the only one. If lameriello has a trade for Leddy in place that’ll help us up front that’ll help Dobson’s cause but it’s far from a sure thing he stays imo.
- Cptmjl

Totally different scenarios, but just like Barzal had nothing left to learn from Juniors the same goes for Dobson. Hes won two Memorial cups........sending him back will hinder his development. He literally dominated last season. 52 pts in 56 games as a D man.

As for Leddy, I don't believe he's got a trade lined up, but the emergence of Toews last season makes Leddy expendable. If Dobson can come in and look like he belongs physically, then I believe Leddy is a goner.

Totally different scenarios, but just like Barzal had nothing left to learn from Juniors the same goes for Dobson. Hes won two Memorial cups........sending him back will hinder his development. He literally dominated last season. 52 pts in 56 games as a D man.

As for Leddy, I don't believe he's got a trade lined up, but the emergence of Toews last season makes Leddy expendable. If Dobson can come in and look like he belongs, then I believe Leddy is a goner.
- kindlyrick

Bit of a contradiction no?


I’m not saying Dobson is bad or disputing whether juniors again next season will have any benefit on his development or not. What I’m saying is there is a lot more factors going into the decision besides whether another year in junior will be beneficial or not to him OR if he has a few good preseason games. He may stay or not but lameriello is not the type of gm to throw a prospect into a starting role.

But of a contradiction no?


I’m not saying Dobson is bad or disputing whether juniors again next season will have any benefit on his development or not. What I’m saying is there is a lot more factors going into the decision besides whether another year in junior will be beneficial or not to him OR if he has a few good preseason games. He may stay or not but lameriello is not the type of gm to throw a prospect into a starting role.
- Cptmjl

No its not...….im saying this is an if/then scenario. IF Dobson can physically fit in, THEN Leddy will be moved. Dobson is not AHL eligible, and being that he's projected to be a Pietrangelo type player/#1 dman, I think his career starts now with the isles. To me, his development is the only factor and going to juniors does nothing but reverse it

Just my opinion...

No its not...….im saying this is an if/then scenario. IF Dobson can physically fit in, THEN Leddy will be moved. Dobson is not AHL eligible, and being that he's projected to be a Pietrangelo type player/#1 dman, I think his career starts now with the isles. To me, his development is the only factor and going to juniors does nothing but reverse it

Just my opinion...
- kindlyrick

You very well wind up being right he may stay and I’m in no way saying he won’t. What I’m saying is it’s far from a sure thing he stays and I completely understand if he doesn’t.

I think if Dobson plays awesome in camp/preseason and Lameriello can swing a trade for a top 6 fwd involving Leddy he’ll stick. If he can’t trade Leddy or like you said he doesn’t have a trade lined up what does he do just sit mayfield? That’s not happening and I don’t think Lameriello can just snap his fingers and trade Leddy for what we need. Too many bodies as it is on the blue line adding Dobson to it without a trade makes no sense unless someone is traded.

You very well wind up being right he may stay and I’m in no way saying he won’t. I’m saying it is far from a sure thing he stays and I completely understand if he doesn’t. I think if Dobson plays awesome in camp/preseason and Lameriello can swing a trade for a top 6 fwd involving Leddy he’ll stick. If he can’t trade Leddy or like you said he doesn’t have a trade lined up what does he do just sit mayfield? That’s not happening and I don’t think Lameriello can just snap his fingers and trade Leddy for what we need. Too many bodies as it is on the blue line adding Dobson to it without a trade makes no sense unless someone is traded.
- Cptmjl

Nothing is a sure thing except death and taxes. But, bringing in Sbisa on a PTO to me says they are getting their ducks in order. I don't think Leddy himself brings back top 6 forward, but Leddy and another piece (Bellows) could. All good problems, but one thing is for sure.....this isn't the Snow islanders. Hoarding is no longer an option.

The only knock on Dobson was his frame, and from what ive read he bulked up a bit. I just don't really see a scenario where they decide to send him back. IMHO

I don't think Mayfield sits, as hes been a pleasant surprise. Hickey is the odd man out.

Nothing is a sure thing except death and taxes. But, bringing in Sbisa on a PTO to me says they are getting their ducks in order. I don't think Leddy himself brings back top 6 forward, but Leddy and another piece (Bellows) could. All good problems, but one thing is for sure.....this isn't the Snow islanders. Hoarding is no longer an option.

The only knock on Dobson was his frame, and from what ive read he bulked up a bit. I just don't really see a scenario where they decide to send him back. IMHO

I don't think Mayfield sits, as hes been a pleasant surprise. Hickey is the odd man out.
- kindlyrick

That’s why I said a trade “involving” Leddy. Also, Hickey(four years at 4 million per)is already sitting even if we don’t trade Leddy. 😂

That’s kind of my point... Our blue line is jammed. Sbisa is there to merely create competition hickey is already, now our 7th defenseman without Dobson. His addition to training camp on a PTO has absolutely no factor or bearing in deciding whether Dobson stays or not.

Dobson can stay. They may figure out a way to make it work. They even said it was an option. But it is far from a foregone conclusion that’s my point. Lots of moving parts involve him staying and we should all know when there’s lots of moving parts it sometimes doesn’t happen.

Hickey(four years at 4 million per)is already sitting even if we don’t trade Leddy. 😂

That’s kind of my point...
- Cptmjl

Maybe Hickey gets moved for a pick? I mean there are obviously a few plays here, but the bottom line is the isles backend has more talent now then it ever did under Snow. Bode Wilde is pretty legit too. All good problems to have.

Maybe Hickey gets moved for a pick? I mean there are obviously a few plays here, but the bottom line is the isles backend has more talent now then it ever did under Snow. Bode Wilde is pretty legit too. All good problems to have.
- kindlyrick

You beat my huge edit😂

Yeah of course. All good stuff. I hope Dobson stays and kicks ass. We trade Leddy with whatever and get a legit top 6 forward. Our team would be legit but I’m not so certain that’s how this will go down.

That’s why I said a trade “involving” Leddy. Also, Hickey(four years at 4 million per)is already sitting even if we don’t trade Leddy. 😂

That’s kind of my point... Our blue line is jammed. Sbisa is there to merely create competition hickey is already, now our 7th defenseman without Dobson. His addition to training camp on a PTO has absolutely no factor or bearing in deciding whether Dobson stays or not.

Dobson can stay. They may figure out a way to make it work. They even said it was an option. But it is far from a foregone conclusion that’s my point. Lots of moving parts involve him staying and we should all know when there’s lots of moving parts it sometimes doesn’t happen.
- Cptmjl

I think Sbisa is there to babysit/mentor some of the young dmen. My opinion is that Dobson stays and it forces movement. Time will tell, but to me that's where this story plays out.

You beat my huge edit😂

Yeah of course. All good stuff. I hope Dobson stays and kicks ass. We trade Leddy with whatever and get a legit top 6 forward. Our team would be legit but I’m not so certain that’s how this will go down.
- Cptmjl

We have Snow PTSD...….but Lou Lam even said himself they'd move assets. Toews and Pulock are better options for the PP than Leddy. I think Leddy's days are numbered.

We have Snow PTSD...….but Lou Lam even said himself they'd move assets. Toews and Pulock are better options for the PP than Leddy. I think Leddy's days are numbered.
- kindlyrick

Has nothing to do with that... We really haven’t done anything since the summer before last besides sign our own ufas. Through two drafts and one trade deadline. I’m not so sure we’ll do anything in this particular situation? That’s all, that’s all I got😂

Has nothing to do with that... We really haven’t done anything since the summer before last besides sign our own ufas. Through two drafts and one trade deadline. I’m not so sure we’ll do anything in this particular situation? That’s all, that’s all I got😂
- Cptmjl

I guess Lou is waiting for the right deal. We all read he went after Panarin which would have added legitimate pts lost by Tavares’ last minute exit. As training camp ends, I think we will see some teams make some moves. Hopefully the isles will be one of them. They certainly have the assets to make a move...

I guess Lou is waiting for the right deal. We all read he went after Panarin which would have added legitimate pts lost by Tavares’ last minute exit. As training camp ends, I think we will see some teams make some moves. Hopefully the isles will be one of them. They certainly have the assets to make a move...
- kindlyrick

Sounds vaguely familiar... Yeah we will see. If he makes one that helps the team I’ll be happy. If nothing happens I won’t be surprised. Kind of hoping to be surprised but not expecting anything. That’s where I’m at.

I think Sbisa is there to babysit/mentor some of the young dmen. My opinion is that Dobson stays and it forces movement. Time will tell, but to me that's where this story plays out.
- kindlyrick

Why in God’s name would they have Lucas Sbisa doing that?😂

Sounds vaguely familiar... Yeah we will see. If he makes one that helps the team I’ll be happy. If nothing happens I won’t be surprised. Kind of hoping to be surprised but not expecting anything. That’s where I’m at.
- Cptmjl

I hear you and im with you, but I think Lou is a winner, and the isles are on the verge of becoming a great team. I think it takes 3 years to become a legit playoff team. This is year 2 for Lou...…im confident he trades for talent and not another Shane Prince

Why in God’s name would they have Lucas Sbisa doing that?😂
- Cptmjl

Who knows, but its certainly not to teach hockey.

I hear you and im with you, but I think Lou is a winner, and the isles are on the verge of becoming a great team. I think it takes 3 years to become a legit playoff team. This is year 2 for Lou...…im confident he trades for talent and not another Shane Prince
- kindlyrick

I’m not saying he’s not. Just not sure if Dobson sticks for the above mentioned reasons? I give it a 60/40 he doesn’t. I really believe he’s going to have to get a decent deal for Leddy to make it happen because logistically it just doesn’t work. Too many defenseman under contract. Not only players under contract but these guys performed last season even Pelech down the stretch. They’re not just going to sit players to make room for Dobson. That I know. Leddy has value, he has term and a reasonable contract. He’s a good defenseman not really sure why anyone would think we would have to add for a 2nd line forward unless they were really legit?

I’m not saying he’s not. Just not sure if Dobson sticks for the above mentioned reasons? I give it a 60/40 he doesn’t. I really believe he’s going to have to get a decent deal for Leddy to make it happen because logistically it just doesn’t work. Too many defenseman under contract. Not only players under contract but these guys performed last season even Pelech down the stretch. They’re not just going to sit players to make room for Dobson. That I know. Leddy has value, he has term and a reasonable contract. He’s a good defenseman not really sure why anyone would think we would have to add for a 2nd line forward unless they were really legit?
- Cptmjl

I think the end of last year Toews outplayed Leddy and therefor made him expendable. I think Toews take his minutes and Dobson takes Toews minutes from last year. The fact that they have too many players under contract leads me to believe a trade is on the horizon. I respect your opinion and we can agree to disagree with Dobson’s chances at making the team. Much like Barzal a few years ago, sending Dobson back to Juniors is pointless for his development. There’s literally nothing left for him to do at that level.

The real surprise of last year is how many games Boychuk played. Come January will it be easy if Leddy is traded and Boychuk is resting? All this talk of Dobson but no mention of Aho? It may be a question of not surrendering vet depth vs a youth movement.