New York Islanders defenseman Noah Dobson is expected to make his return to the lineup Thursday versus the Boston Bruins after missing the past 11 games due to an upper-body injury, Islanders head coach Patrick Roy confirmed Wednesday per Andrew Gross of New York Newsday.

The Islanders have been without defenseman Noah Dobson for nine consecutive games, but there's light at the end of the tunnel.

Sometimes with the Islanders, the team keeps such a tight lid on information that it’s easy for a rumor from a fan account to become accepted as fact on social media.

Noah Dobson joined the New York Islanders practice on Saturday, skating in an official capacity with the team for the first time since suffering a lower-body injury on Jan. 20, which sidelined him for nine games before the break.

New York Islanders defenseman Noah Dobson has changed player agencies just weeks before the trade deadline, fueling speculation about his future. While it’s not uncommon for players to switch agents, doing so in the middle of the season—especially amid trade speculation—has raised a few eyebrows.

New York Islanders No. 1 defenseman Noah Dobson is rumored to be on the NHL trade block, and the San Jose Sharks should be all over trying to acquire him.

Noah Dobson is expected to return to game action against the Boston Bruins on Thursday, Head Coach Patrick Roy announced after Wednesday’s practice. Dobson has missed 11 games with a lower-body injury that he sustained on Jan.

The New York Islanders have reportedly placed forward Matt Martin on Injured Reserve (as per Stefen Rosner of The Hockey News) opening the door for them to activate defenseman Noah Dobson off LTIR.