New York Islanders: Ryan Pulock Emerging At NHL Level

The New York Islanders have young defensemen they are very excited about. His name is Ryan Pulock and he is emerging in the NHL scene.

Most of the New York Islanders fan base will probably tell you they have been waiting a while for Ryan Pulock. The truth of the matter is Pulock recently turned 23 and defenseman take a little longer to develop.

The 15th overall pick of the 2013 draft brings a lot to the table. He has size (6’2, 215 lbs), skill (slap shot has been clocked at 105 mph), and might wind up being a mainstay on the Isles blue line for years to come.

Developing

Pulock has been honing his game since being drafted. First with the Brandon Wheat Kings of the WHL and most recently with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers in the AHL.

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The Manitoba native has been with the Isles since the opening night rosters were set at the end of the training camp. He is part of the back-end rotation along with Scott Mayfield, Thomas Hickey, and Dennis Seidenberg. Lately, Pulock has been a regular in the lineup.

Each and every game Pulock looks more comfortable on the ice, especially in his own zone. You have to remember he only has played in 35 NHL games so far in his career.

Watching Pulock one can see the similarities of Mathew Barzal and his play at the very beginning of the season. Barzal the first number of game of the season was a solid player and improving his play with each and every game. Then boom Barzal’s play jumped. One can see a similar forecast for Pulock.

Off Limits

Earlier in the year to improve the team one could see Garth Snow moving Pulock in a trade to improve the team. After all, the Islanders are loaded with young defenseman on the roster and in the prospect pipeline.

Pulock’s recent emergence of putting the pieces together on his total game makes him a hard guy to trade. Unless one is talking about putting Pulock as part of a package to land a top player this youngster should be off limits.

Pulock’s ceiling is one where he will be a real solid defender with size along with being an offensive force at even strength and on the power-play. Pulock’s game still needs work but his game is developing on a nightly basis.

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Asking the Isles fans to have patience with Pulcok is a big ask because the fan base has been patient on so many levels. Having said that the investment of Ryan Pulock is about to pay off.