The Caveat to Not Trading Dobson: Adam Boqvist & Elias Pettersson

Yesterday, here at NYI Hockey Now, we discussed the reasons why trading Noah Dobson for anything of lesser value is a terrible idea. However, and it was hinted within that piece, there’s a caveat to that discussion. Really, it’s a two-part caveat, and they’re attached to each other.

Adam Boqvist’s arrival and potential on the blue line, coupled with a potential package to acquire Elias Pettersson from the Vancouver Canucks.

First, let’s start with discussing Boqvist.

Boqvist’s Strong Start:

Boqvist arrived in New York after the Florida Panthers placed the defender on waivers after he failed to crack their lineup consistently. Before that, injuries riddled his career with the Columbus Blue Jackets, as he never played more than 52 games in one season with Columbus.

During his time with Florida, he showed constant flashes offensively while struggling defensively on one of the worst teams in the NHL. Boqvist recorded two goals and six points before landing on waivers.

So far, through four games with the Islanders, Boqvist has recorded one goal while learning a new system on the fly. Last night was Boqvist’s best performance with the Islanders. He played just over 17 minutes and made each of them count. He buzzed up and down the ice, jumping in on rushes. He made some incredibly smart plays in the offensive, carrying in deep and circling to make passes or fire shots. Boqvist finished with four shots, a block, and zero turnovers.

Most importantly, he looked confident and comfortable. That will be a major key for him as he looks to solidify a role with the Islanders. He’s at his best when making plays with the puck on his stick in the offensive zone. That’s why he was selected ahead of Noah Dobson in the 2018 NHL Draft, with his potential offensively boasted as elite.

Perhaps Boqvist can find his stride in a growing role with the Islanders. If so, that could potentially make dealing Dobson away possible, even if it’s immensely risky. It helps to have Anthony DeAngelo playing well in his current role, but he is not a long-term solution.

The only universe where the Islanders trade Dobson regardless is if they acquire a bonafide superstar, say someone like Elias Pettersson.

The Pettersson Question:

Elias Pettersson is having the worst season of his career. The superstar Swedish forward has just 11 goals and 33 points through 48 games. Just two years ago, he recorded 39 goals and 102 points. For the first half of last season, Pettersson had been on a 100-point pace until an injury to his knee flared up and made him look a shell of himself.

Add in an extremely public feud between Pettersson, J.T. Miller, and Vancouver Canucks’ management, and you’ve got yourself a very ugly situation. This entire season has felt like Pettersson’s lost his smile and will to play for Vancouver.

If the Islanders acquire Pettersson, it would require Dobson and a bit more. Vancouver would likely be forced to take on Pierre Engvall’s contract to make the money work. Prospects Danny Nelson and Kamil Bednarik, two former second-round picks currently playing in the NCAA, could be involved. After that, New York could add in a second or third-round pick to sweeten the pot.

That would be a no-brainer for the Islanders to pounce on. Bo Horvat played with Pettersson before, and they have a strong relationship. Pettersson is in the first year of a mammoth eight-year deal worth $11.6 per year, but if he gets back into his 100-point form, he’s worth every cent.

If it’s not Pettersson or someone of that level, it truly doesn’t make sense to move Dobson for New York. But as the title says, this is the caveat.