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.

The Islanders must trade Noah Dobson at the deadline amid a defensive overhaul that could lead to a massive deal.

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.

The New York Islanders are in a weird spot. They’re still relatively close to a postseason spot, just four points out with a 7-3-0 record in their last 10 games.

All that, and the Islanders are right where they’ve always been. There was supposed to be some clarity by now on what this team is, and thus which direction it should go at the trade deadline in a month.