Ryan Pulock

A long-term lower-body injury cost Pulock 24 games last year, which also saw him miss the 20-point threshold for just the second time in his seven-year NHL career. When he plays a full season, Pulock can offer decent low-end value considering he is capable of putting up 20-plus points, 100-plus hits and 125-plus blocked shots. The problem for fantasy managers is the fact that Pulock has reached the 60-game mark just once in the last four seasons. All that makes Pulock a somewhat risky option even as a late-round addition but one that could pay off if he bucks the trend and stays healthy.

Pulock can be a solid all-around contributor at his best, but he was slightly adrift from that level in 2022-23 with 26 points in 82 games. His non-scoring production was as expected. He picked up 140 hits, 128 blocked shots, 126 shots on goal and a plus-10 rating while averaging 20:54 of ice time per game in a top-four role. It's been three years since Pulock reached the 30-point mark, though the Islanders' commitment to defense as a team limits his scoring potential, as does the emergence of Noah Dobson as a power-play quarterback. Pulock continues to have appeal in deeper formats as a passable No. 4 fantasy defenseman, but a sudden spike in offense is unlikely in his age-29 campaign in 2023-24. Keep that in mind when considering him on draft day.

Pulock's season got off to a terrible start. He missed more than two months early on due to a lower-body injury and it wasn't until his 25th game of the season that he scored his first goal. Pulock managed five points in his final seven games to finish with 21 points in 56 games for the year. Pulock's 1:24 of power-play time per game was his lowest mark in the past four years. The emergence of Noah Dobson as New York's No. 1 defenseman, combined with Pulock's injury woes, have the latter's fantasy value at an all-time low. He's nothing more than a late-round dart throw in standard formats, though he should return solid value in leagues that count hits and blocks.

It took Pulock 42 games to score his first goal of the season in 2020-21. He finished with just two goals and 17 points in 56 games, although he did manage four goals and six points through 19 playoff contests. Pulock is the very definition of a buy-low candidate from a fantasy perspective. His 22:27 average time on ice last year was the highest of his career, as was his 1:55 of ice time per night with the man advantage. Pulock's lack of goals was the direct result of a 1.7 percent shooting percentage, by far his lowest to date and one that should correct itself moving forward. Toss in a solid plus-minus rating, and plenty of hits and blocks, and Pulock has all the makings of a underrated weapon for fantasy managers in 2021-22.

Pulock was a consistent producer from the blue line for the Islanders in 2019-20, picking up 10 goals, 25 helpers, eight power-play points and 163 shots on goal while averaging 22:24 of ice time, 1:46 of which came with the man advantage, in a top-pairing role. The 26-year-old blueliner also put up respectable totals in the peripheral categories, registering a plus-8 rating while racking up 110 hits and 139 blocks. Pulock shouldn't have any trouble replicating his double-digit goal, 35-plus point pace while putting up healthy totals across the board in the peripheral categories in 2020-21, making him a solid option in the mid-to-late rounds for fantasy managers looking to add a fourth or fifth defenseman.

In his first 82-game season, Pulock set career-bests with 37 points, 28 assists and a plus-21 rating in 2018-19. His nine goals were also just one shy of his 10 from 2017-18. He earned Barry Trotz's trust, and the coach rewarded him with 22:22 of ice time per game, which was four minutes more per contest than the previous campaign. Pulock, who turns 25 in October, has a chance to gain even more playing time as he continues to mature, which will give him even more opportunities to post fantasy numbers. He's defensively responsible with a shot good enough to post a 5.0 shooting percentage, making him a candidate for more power-play minutes. The 2013 first-round pick should be a very strong fantasy asset on the blue line this season.

Pulock became one of the Islanders most reliable defensemen in his first full season. The club controlled his minutes early on, but turned him loose after January, and he finished with 10 goals and 32 points in just 68 games. In the final 30, Pulock posted six goals and 17 points while averaging more than 20 minutes per contest. He often helped his own cause, averaging a healthy 3.37 shots per game to complement a plus-4 rating. Johnny Boychuk isn't getting any younger, so the Islanders would love Pulock to take on more responsibility and that's great news for his fantasy owners. If Pulock carries his hot finish into the new season, he'll be an excellent complementary blueliner in standard leagues.

Always known to have major offensive upside, Pulock exploded for 15 goals and 46 points in 55 games on AHL Bridgeport's blue line last season, putting the Isles’ 2013 first-round pick squarely on the fantasy radar in deeper and keeper formats. The only thing keeping him away from major relevance for 2017-18 is the flotilla of boring-yet-reliable veterans ahead of him on the depth chart -- enough of them that Pulock may have to continue biding his time in the AHL for a bit longer yet. However, it wouldn't be surprising to see the Isles tire of having only one reliable source of offense (Nick Leddy) among their defensive corps, and the 22-year-old Pulock fits with the youth movement that’s getting underway in Brooklyn. It’s quite likely that one way or another, room will be made for him on the Islanders’ roster (and power play) at some point this season.

After an accomplished junior hockey career for the WHL's Brandon Wheat Kings, Pulock had his first full season at AHL Bridgeport cut short by injury, but showed the promise that led to his selection in the first round by the Islanders in 2013. In 54 games for Bridgeport, Pulock scored 17 goals, which led all defenseman on the team, while also chipping in 12 assists. Not even 21 years old, a big-bodied defenseman like Pulock can often take a bit of extra time to develop, but he seems right on schedule. He’ll look to crack the team’s third defensive pairing with Thomas Hickey this season. Even if he fails to earn a roster spot at the beginning of the season, Pulock could still be called upon in the not-too-distant future to bolster the team’s youthful blue line.

After Griffin Reinhart, Pulock is the cream of the crop when it comes to Islander defensive prospects. While Reinhart may end up being the superior overall defender of the pair, Pulock is the one who could end up being the better offensive blueliner, and thus, carry more fantasy upside. Pulock possesses a booming shot, which could be very dangerous on the power play, if and when he’s given the opportunity.

Pulock was the Islanders' first-round draft pick this past July. He projects as a possibly top-four defenseman should he develop, but there are just as many doubters out there whobelieve he will only be a power play specialist. What no one doubts is his shot. It's hard and heavy and will be a weapon if/when he makes his NHL debut.