New York Islanders Daily: Ryan Pulock Expansion Draft Strategy

With the expansion draft looming the New York Islanders have to make a decision with Ryan Pulock. It should be an easy one.

One of the hottest topics in the streets is expansion draft strategy (unless of course your team is still in the playoffs). Since the New York Islanders haven’t played in over a month we shift our focus to offseason strategies.

In Arthur Staple’s most recent mailbag he discussed a variety of topics, even the topic of Ryan Pulock. The question essentially was should the Islanders protect Pulock?

The answer is very simple. Yes. There’s no ifs and’s or but’s the answer is yes. In all likelihood, the Isles will protect four forwards and four defenseman which will include Ryan Pulock. He’s 22 years old and is a defenseman you could build your blue line around.

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If he’s unprotected the Isles will lose him for nothing. I’d much rather take my chances at losing Thomas Hickey or Calvin de Haan. Both de Haan and Hickey are solid NHL d-men but we know their ceiling. Pulock has a much higher ceiling than those two and the team would be silly to lose him for nothing.

He only appeared in one game for the Isles this past year but expect him to be back with vengeance in 2017-2018.

I can’t see the Isles trading Pulock either. Staple didn’t seem so sure but I for one would be pretty shocked if he’s not a part of the team next year. If everything goes according to plan he will be on the Isles roster this fall.

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