The New York Islanders Are Counting on Adam Pelech to Be a Plus Once Again

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Adam Pelech’s value to the New York Islanders is hard to describe. Pelech, alongside partner Ryan Pulock, have been cornerstones of the team’s success over the last few seasons.

However, injuries have slowed Pelech down, leaving a gaping hole in the Isles’ blue line during his absence. That is why the New York Islanders are counting on Adam Pelech to be a plus once again this season.

So, here’s a look at Adam Pelech’s plus-minus side for the New York Islanders.

Why Adam Pelech Must Be A Plus Once Again for the New York Islanders

PLUS

Adam Pelech and Ryan Pulock formed a rock-solid duo that backstopped the Isles to consecutive Conference Final appearances in 2020 and 2021. In particular, Pelech’s hard-nosed, no-nonsense approach makes him one of the toughest blue liners to play against in the NHL.

But that’s only scratching the surface. Like Pulock, Pelech is a team leader who motivates his teammates by example. The Isles know that when Pelech is on the ice, everyone can breathe a sigh of relief.

As a former third-round pick, Pelech has emerged as one of the most reliable shutdown defensemen in the league. While not offensively gifted, his role as a defense-first blue liner makes him an invaluable member of the Isles’ back end.

As long as he stays healthy, it’s hard to imagine any other player controlling the play like Adam Pelech does.

MINUS

On the flip side, injuries have become a concern for Pelech. Like Pulock, his tough, physical style has led to injuries over the last couple of seasons. Last year, Pelech played in just 58 games.

While he averaged over 20 minutes a night when playing, last season was arguably Pelech’s worst in the NHL. Moreover, Pelech is 30. That situation means that injuries could continue to pile up as father time advances.

Additionally, some may question that Pelech’s $5.75 million cap hit is high given his defense-first role and limited offensive upside. But like Ryan Pulock, Pelech’s role isn’t to put the puck in the net. It’s to keep opponents from scoring.

As such, the Isles are willing to pay Pelech well to shut down the opposition’s best players. That sort of role is not easy to fill, especially with the consistency Pelech has shown over the years.

The Verdict

If Pelech can stay healthy, Adam Pelech should continue to play a significant role for the New York Islanders. The club is counting on him to be one of the best shutdown blue liners this season, helping the team make a deep postseason run.

While the club won’t be counting on Pelech to score 100 points, the Isles will be looking for him to remain a cornerstone of the team on its quest to bring back the Cup to The Island.

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