Noah Dobson happy to sign bridge deal with Islanders

A bridge deal for Noah Dobson rather than a longer-term extension worked just fine for both the emerging star defenseman and Islanders president and general manager Lou Lamoriello.

The Islanders on Monday announced new contracts for restricted free agents Alexander Romanov (three years, $7.5 million), Kieffer Bellows (one year, $1.2 million) and Dobson (three years, $12 million).

“That’s what worked out best for both sides right now,” said Dobson, who again will be an RFA but with arbitration rights when the deal expires. “Both sides went into the negotiations open-minded and I’m just really happy to be with the Islanders for the next three years.”

Dobson, selected 12th overall in 2018, is a crucial piece to the Islanders’ future. He led the team’s defensemen with 13 goals and 38 assists and his 22 power-play points led the entire team.

“He has to continue to grow the way he did this year,” Lamoriello said when asked about a long-term deal. “We have to see a little more from Noah to make that long-term decision.”

Romanov was acquired from the Canadiens on July 7 for a first-round pick. He had four goals, 15 assists and 74 penalty minutes in 133 games in his first two NHL seasons after coming to North America from the KHL. He was teammates with Islanders goalie Ilya Sorokin with CSKA Moscow.

Romanov and Dobson project to be defense partners.

“I was shocked, honestly,” Romanov said of being traded. “I didn’t expect it but I’m so excited to be here. I’m already on Long Island.”

Bellows has 11 goals and 14 assists in 67 games over three seasons for the Islanders.

“I see myself as being a regular in the lineup,” he said. “I want to be making a big impact from Day 1.”

By Andrew Gross

andrew.gross@newsday.comAGrossNewsday

Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.