On Wednesday morning, Ryan Pulock has officially signed a two-year, $10 million contract with the New York Islanders, carrying an average annual value of $5 million.

With Devon Toews being moved, it was a necessity that Lou Lamoriello signed Ryan Pulock and hopefully Mathew Barzal. Given the flat salary cap in the NHL currently, and the cap crunch the Islanders are working with, a bridge contract for Pulock makes sense for both sides.

Pulock is arguably the Islanders’ best defender, and has one of the hardest shots in the NHL. Barry Trotz consistently pairs him on the top defensive pairing with Adam Pelech and gets top playing time at even strength and special teams.

Pulock recorded 10 goals and 35 points in 68 games last season, and added on 10 more in 22 games during the postseason.

His value for a two-year deal was reflected accurately in this contract. Pulock is an excellent defender who is just one or two steps away from becoming elite. He is 26 years of age, and this contract will continue through when he is 28. He may ask for more money and a longer term the next time he has to sign, but contemporarily, this is a great deal for the player and the team.

https://twitter.com/rtaub_/status/1324003597101768707?s=21

Ryan Pulock was expected to go somewhere in the $5-6 million dollar range for this contract. However, the Islanders still have to sign Mathew Barzal, and potentially some other unrestricted free agents like Derick Brassard, Matt Martin, and Andy Greene. With the new Pulock contract, Lamoriello will have to manage the salary cap to ensure he locks up the pieces he wants to keep.

With word via @FriedgeHNIC that Ryan Pulock has agreed to a two-year deal worth $5-million per, the #Isles now have just about $3.9-million in cap space and a second buyout window opening in 48 hours.

Only players who can be bought out are those with AAVs over $4-million.

— Arthur Staple (@StapeAthletic) November 4, 2020

The Islanders can move assets or use a buyout. Thomas Hickey, Leo Komarov, and Cal Clutterbuck are all not eligible for buyouts, so it may require a Boychuk trade, or some other assets being moved to be able to lock up Barzal and others.

However, for now, this Pulock contract is perfect. The young defender only has room to grow on the Islanders and a bridge deal works perfectly for both sides.

The Contract: Ryan Pulock signed a two-year contract worth $10 million ($5M AAV), and will go through the 2021-22 NHL season.

John Smark