Eyes On Isles
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Islanders should sign defenseman Ryan Pulock now

By Christopher Lizza

UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - JUNE 19: Ryan Pulock #6 of the New York Islanders blocks a shot by Ryan McDonagh #27 of the Tampa Bay Lightning during the third period in Game Four of the Stanley Cup Semifinals during the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Nassau Coliseum on June 19, 2021 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Getty Images)
UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - JUNE 19: Ryan Pulock #6 of the New York Islanders blocks a shot by Ryan McDonagh #27 of the Tampa Bay Lightning during the third period in Game Four of the Stanley Cup Semifinals during the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Nassau Coliseum on June 19, 2021 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Getty Images) /
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The New York Islanders locked up Adam Pelech earlier this month. Now they should sign Ryan Pulock to a long-term deal as well. Pulock, the Islanders’ top-pairing defenseman becomes an unrestricted free agent at the end of the upcoming season.

The soon-to-be 27-year old blueliner is on the last year on his deal which has a $5 million cap hit. Both Pulock and Pelech are a huge part of the Isles success on the top pair.

This off-season has been a good one for defensemen as they have cashed in mightily. Everyone from Seth Jones to Neal Pionk have landed big new deals. Pulock will cash in as well.

Waiting to sign Pulock next off-season will only increase his annual cap hit. If the Islanders were to sign Pulock now, before the start of the season, they could offer the 2013 first-round pick lifetime security and then some.

In addition, by all accounts, this is where Pulock wants to be so one would think he would be very open to talking extension and landing that lifetime security now as opposed to waiting for later.

New York Islanders should lock up Ryan Pulock ASAP

The Islanders General Manager, Lou Lamoriello can offer an eight-year deal to Pulock which no other club can do. The Isles should use that advantage to lock up Pulock to a long-term deal.

One would think that if Pulock hit the open free agent market next July 1st his market would be between $7 – $8 million on a seven-year deal. Let’s assume the high end of that range and say an AAV of $8 million on a seven-year deal. That’s $56 million.

The Isles should offer Pulock now an eight-year deal at $6.75 million which adds up to $54 million.

Everyone would walk out a winner in this deal. Pulock lands his security, the Islanders lock up the player and get an AAV that would be team-friendly. Pulock would be 35 at the end of his deal but that’s part of the price of locking up your own guys when they hit their prime years.

Next. Isles Should Sign Zdeno Chara

Now is the time for the Islanders and Pulock to talk contract and get a deal done. That’s assuming Lou doesn’t already have a long-term deal done for Pulock locked in his office.

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