Although Ryan Pulock and Adam Pelech can shut down the best forward lines in hockey, racking up offensive statistics is not necessarily in the pair’s game plan. Although Pelech is having a career year points-wise, a stat line of three goals and 20 points is nothing special for a top-pair defenseman. As early as 2019-20, Pulock was an effective offensive defenseman. But the last two seasons have been concerning. 

Pulock had over 30 points in each of his first three NHL seasons. He had 10 goals in 2017-18 and 2019-20, too. Over the last two seasons, however, Pulock has put up four goals and 31 points in 95 games. For a slapshot that could surpass 100 mph, scoring only four goals is less than ideal. He’s shooting 2.7% this season, down from a high of 6.1% in 2019-20. It was as low as 1.7% last season.

Assists have also not come at a high rate. Pulock has two power-play assists in 35 games this season. As the top defenseman on the second power play, this is dismal production.

The analytics will show the same story as the stat sheet. Pulock’s Corsi For percentage is 45.2%. Above 50% means that the player’s team controls the puck more often than not when he’s on the ice. Noah Dobson (52.1%) is one of the best Isles’ defensemen in this category and Pelech’s CF% was as high as 50.1% last week, although it’s down to 45.6%. Perhaps this is because Pulock starts only 45.4% of his shifts in the offensive zone, but Pelech starts even fewer shifts there (37.0%). 

The Islanders drive offensive play way more when Pelech is on the ice than Pulock. Pulock’s Relative Corsi For percentage is -1.1%. RelCF% is the Corsi% when on the ice subtracted by the Corsi% off the ice. Essentially, this means the Islanders drive the puck better in the offensive zone when Pulock is not on the ice. 

The Islanders have many question marks on their roster, including two aging defensemen and many forwards not living up to their contracts. However, Pulock’s offensive struggles have gone mostly unnoticed. Yes, he was injured for most of the year but these issues have been lingering since last season. The Islanders drive offensive play better as a team when Pulock is not on the ice and more productive when off the power play. Ryan Pulock’s statistics should be a cause of concern for the Islanders’ front office.

John Smark