On June 19, 2021, Islanders defenseman Ryan Pulock made what will likely be the play of his career. Leading Game 4 of the 2021 Conference Final 3-2, Pulock blocked a desperation shot by Lightning defenseman Ryan McDonagh that saved the Islanders and evened the series. Even live, NBC’s broadcasting team seemed astonished by Pulock’s last-second stop. Pulock appeared to have solidified himself as an NHL shutdown defenseman: one-half of “P&P Security” alongside Adam Pelech. However, since Barry Trotz’s departure, Pulock has regressed from shutdown defenseman to subpar anchor.

The Islanders selected Pulock with the 13th overall pick of the 2013 NHL Draft. Scouts praised his size, power-play contributions and booming shot. He made his NHL debut a few seasons later. In 2015-16, Pulock stepped in because of numerous defensive injuries. He kept his roster spot into the playoffs, scoring his first NHL playoff goal in the first round against the Florida Panthers with his patented slapshot. Pulock earned a full-time roster spot in 2017-18 and has been with the Islanders ever since. Although he performed well in 2017-18, Pulock blossomed into a star under Trotz.

In 2018-19, Pulock played all 82 games. He posted a +21 rating while contributing 37 points from the blue line. Trotz clearly improved Pulock’s defense, raising his GAR from the 43rd percentile to the 86th percentile. Pulock only got better in 2019-20. Before COVID-19 shut the world down, he was on pace to record 42 points. Analytically, Pulock ranked among the best defensemen in hockey.

Under Trotz, Pulock soared. The save on McDonagh symbolized his defensive prowess. However, once Trotz left Long Island, Pulock’s play sharply declined.

Pulock’s success partly came from his symbiotic relationship with Pelech. Pelech’s tendencies complemented Pulock’s perfectly. Pulock, as his scouting report indicated, excelled at physicality and jumping into the offense. Pelech relied on positioning and stickwork to protect the net and showed little interest in physicality or offense. Together, they formed the perfect pair. The 2020-21 postseason exemplified this synergy, as Trotz repeatedly sent P&P against the opposition’s best. P&P thrived under the pressure, averaging 23:19 minutes of ice time per night during that postseason.

Since the 2021 playoffs, P&P has seldom reunited. Injuries have played a major role in keeping them apart.

Both Pulock and Pelech have missed significant time due to injuries over the past few seasons. Pulock played just 56 out of 82 games in 2021-22. In 2022-23, Pelech appeared in only 61 games. Then, in 2023-24, both missed at least 20 games. This season, Pelech has been sidelined with a broken jaw. Even when both are healthy, P&P no longer dominates. Among defensive pairings with at least 200 minutes together last year, P&P ranked 117th out of 166 in xGoals%. In 2020-21, they were fifth out of 107.

Pelech’s individual statistics have remained decent, but Pulock’s have plummeted. This season has been especially rough. So far, Pulock ranks in the 11th percentile among NHL defensemen in GAR. While there’s still a chance to rebound, the outlook appears grim. Pulock’s poor play is soured by his cap hit.

Following the 2021 postseason, he inked an eight-year, $49.2 million contract that will keep him an Islander until 2030. His cap hit of $6.15 million currently takes up 6.99% of the Islanders’ salary cap. If his decline continues, Pulock may soon find himself getting sent to “Trouba Island” in a salary dump.

Pulock’s career trajectory has mirrored the rise and fall of the Islanders over the past few years. Once a cornerstone of the team’s blue line, his sharp decline raises significant concerns about his future with the franchise. While injuries and coaching changes have contributed to his struggles, Pulock’s hefty contract leaves little room for patience. If he cannot regain his form soon, the Islanders may face a difficult decision about his place on the roster and their financial commitments moving forward.

Featured image courtesy of Steven Bisig/Imagn Images

Player cards courtesy of evolving-hockey.com