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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External Replacements

Henri Jokiharju
Buffalo Sabres v Edmonton Oilers | Leila Devlin/GettyImages

Finding another external replacement for Pulock through a trade seems both unlikely and unwise. Replacing Noah Dobson by signing Tony DeAngelo to a one-year deal was a low-risk move and the Islanders could likely recoup assets for DeAngelo should they fall back of the playoff race in the next few weeks. Given the team's current position, this route seems both unlikely and highly risky. The Islanders are riding a four-game win streak, but still sit in a precarious position in the standings where a few results in either direction could propel them into the playoff hunt or the draft lottery. As such, an external replacement for Pulock through trade seems like a rash decision. But, there are options available.

Among my top choices to externally replace Pulock would be Buffalo's Henri Jokiharju. The Sabres are a basement-dweller again, and Jokiharju is a RHD, and a UFA this offseason making $3.1M against the salary cap. The 25-year-old Finn has had a positive impact on Buffalo's 5v5 shot locations both for and against during 2024-25, and his 51.73 on-ice adjusted CF% is fifth-best on the Sabres in 24-25. Given Buffalo's status as a seller, he could be available should they be enticed by whatever assets Lou can offer them. The downside, like with any trade in this situation, would be sending the Sabres assets for a few months of Jokiharju's services before a new contract is needed. The right side of the Islanders' blue line, when healthy, is full. But, if Toronto is still interested in Scott Mayfield for their playoff run this spring, that could be one way to open a spot for a new RHD.

Columbus's Dante Fabbro is another potential option. The Blue Jackets currently hold the second Wild Card slot in the East, their willingness to part with Fabbro, especially to a competitor for the last playoff spot, seems highly unlikely. Given Columbus's injury concerns at center, it would have to be a hockey trade, something involving Brock Nelson or J-G Pageau going back to Columbus in exchange for draft picks plus Fabbro for that to work out, which seems implausible.

Given their circumstances, the Islanders' best bet for replacing Ryan Pulock is an internal one. There aren't too many RHDs floating around the free agency market this time of year, as DeAngelo was, so that limits the external replacement options to trades. Anything involving sending away assets to bring in a rental player, given their standings position, seems like a bad idea. But what do you think?

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