Three replacement options if NY Islanders defenseman Ryan Pulock misses time

After losing Ryan Pulock just seconds into Saturday's win against Carolina, the Islanders have another gap to plug on the right side of their blue line.

New York Islanders v Montreal Canadiens
New York Islanders v Montreal Canadiens | Minas Panagiotakis/GettyImages
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Samuel Bolduc

Samuel Bolduc
Pittsburgh Penguins v New York Islanders | Bruce Bennett/GettyImages

Samuel Bolduc, another internal option from the Bridgeport Islanders, is a left-handed shot. As such, he'd be a less ideal option to replace Pulock than Hutton. But, given that the Islanders' blue line has been banged up and missing components for much of the season, we have seen Patrick Roy - when forced to - play D-men on their off-sides.

This is an unlikely option for the Islanders' potential internal replacements, as Bolduc has played in just one game for New York this season. He had a costly giveaway near his own net in the Islanders' 5-2 November 3 loss to the Rangers which saw him benched for the remainder of the game. Patrick Roy's dog house is a difficult place to get oneself out of, but he didn't necessarily slam the door shut on Bolduc following the loss, saying β€œHe's got all the tools, he just needs to figure it out, but he needs to be better if he wants to play for us.” Not exactly complimentary, but not something indicating an indefinite banishment either.

Bolduc is another risk-averse option, and his game against the Rangers was going quite well until the turnover. He also posted some strong micro-stats in defending entries at his own blue line is 2023-24, so I view him as an unideal replacement with a bit more upside than the 29-year-old Hutton. As with Hutton, his call-up would mean a replacement D would also be needed in Bridgeport, given the state of the AHL Islanders' injury situation.

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