Locked and Loaded
The Islanders sign D Ryan Pulock to an 8-year extension as season starts tonight
Good Morning,
Late last night, GM Lou Lamoriello worked his magic again, locking up another top-pair defenseman long-term. Ryan Pulock agreed to terms with the Islanders to remain on Long Island through at least the 2029-30 season. We’ll break down the Pulock deal further and get you ready for Game 1 of the first 82-game season in two years in today’s edition.
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This morning, you’ll get a FIRST LOOK at some excellent NEW graphics you’ll receive in the newsletter moving forward! But first, let’s get into the latest news.
🔒PU-LOCKED UP: Ryan Pulock and the Islanders agreed on an eight-year extension late Wednesday night that kicks in for the 2022-23 season. Per reports, Pulock’s contract comes in at “just under $50 million total.” The contract also comes with a no-trade clause for the first five years, then a limited no-trade clause for the last three years.
LOU DOES IT AGAIN: Based on the numbers reported, the eight-year extension would come out to an AAV between $5.75 and $6.25 million, meaning Lamoriello has locked up both Pulock and Adam Pelech for matching long-term deals for a combined $12 million maximum.
FOR PERSPECTIVE: As Eyes on Isles Michel Anderson notes on the annual combined salary, “That’s less than a McDavid. It’s about half of the Erik Karlsson and Brent Burns deals. It’s also just over a third of the Matthews-Tavares-Marner trio. Locking up Pulock, after locking up Adam Pelech for max length is already a good thing, but to do so in this fashion is incredible.”
🌀 TAKE WARNING: The Islanders have landed in Carolina for their first of 13 games on the road. In net, Ilya Sorokin is projected to start for the Isles and Frederick Anderson will make his Hurricanes debut.
ROAD WARRIORS: As the Isles wait for UBS Arena to welcome them next month, their 13-game trip is the longest road trip in franchise history. The previous mark was nine games in 2016, during which they went 5–3–1. It also ranks as the second-longest road trip in NHL history, behind the 2010 Canucks, who completed a 14-game, 13-city trip when the Olympics were in Vancouver.
IN NET: Sorokin will make his debut appearance against the Hurricanes tonight since the Hurricanes were part of the 2020-21 Central Division, and the Isles haven't played the ‘Canes since the 2019-20 season.
CANE KILLER: In 26 career games against Carolina, Brock Nelson has accrued nine goals, 10 assists for 19 points.
LINE PROJECTIONS:
➕ ROSTER ADDITIONS: A day after the 23-man roster was made “official,” Lou Lamoriello made a few more additions and informed us that the Isles will be traveling with 25 players.
Kieffer Bellows and Cory Schneider were both added to the roster.
Semyon Varlamov and Matt Martin (injured reserve) traveled to Carolina with the team; however, they have both been ruled out of tonight’s game.
👶 JR. ISLANDERS: With the additions to the varsity club, the corresponding moves have been made.
Thomas Hickey has been reassigned to the Bridgeport Islanders.
Jakub Skarek has been reassigned to the Bridgeport Islanders.
4️⃣ ROLL FOUR LINES: Lamoriello expressed confidence in his roster after Wednesday morning’s practice, claiming this is the deepest, most talented they’ve been during his Isles tenure.
LOU: “We're a four-line team, and right now, this is the deepest team we've had here as far as the differential of the talent from top to bottom. We feel very good. But once again, we have to go out and perform.”
CAPTAINS APPROVAL: “We know what kind of group we are,” said Lee in agreement with Lamoriello’s assessment of the roster. “Now it's time to put it all together.”
SEE! JUST OLDER: “You're talking of two elite athletes who don't allow their age to get in the way because of the shape that they're in,” said Lamoriello on how confident he is that Chara and Greene can play 75+ games. “I don't have any more concerns about them as we do our other players.”
TALK IS CHEAP: “We're getting closer, but internally, we want to take the next step. But words are very cheap,” Trotz continued. “We just have to start the process of playing the 82 games. If you look too far ahead, you'll die a quick death. I'm not into that. I want to play for a long time.”
AN UNFAMILIAR FEELING: “It's a little bit of a privilege to be a team that's considered a contender for a Stanley Cup,” said Barry Trotz about the lofty projections for the Islanders this season. “There's a burden that comes with that. I think this group is very capable.”
PRESIDENTS TROPHY?!
🧑🏫 ROLE MODELS: Oliver Wahlstrom has been watching Zach Parise “since I was born,” and is excited about his development playing alongside Parise and J.G. Pageau.
WAHLLY: “Pager and Zach are unbelievable for me. I can lean on them and learn how to be a good pro. We're having some fun and having some chemistry.”
📝 EARLY EXTENSION?:
🤣 KRAKEN UP: Isles fans had some fun expressing an all-too-familiar feeling when former Islander Jordan Eberle hit the crossbar on the first-ever shift for the Seattle Kraken.
📊 STANDINGS: It’s never too early to start looking at the standings.
⏭ NEXT UP: After visiting the Hurricanes tonight, the Isles will travel to the sunny beaches of Miami to take on the Florida Panthers on Saturday evening. They then have two days off before playing the Blackhawks at the United Center next Tuesday.
📚 ISLE REMEMBER: On this date in Islanders history, the year was 1977 and Mike Bossy made his NHL debut. The hall-of-fame sniper scored his first NHL goal against Buffalo Sabres goaltender Don Edwards. The helpers were credited to Clark Gillies and Bryan Trottier at 9:24 of the first period.
🔗 Islanders preparing for 13-game season-opening road trip with ‘half-glass-full’ outlook, by Joe Pantorno, amNY: “What our experiences have been over the past two years do help us going into the road schedule because we’ve been somewhat used to it,” Islanders president and general manager Lou Lamoriello said Wednesday. “The big difference is that we won’t be in one city for a period of time… we’ll have to adjust… look at the fatigue. But these are things we’ve talked about and we’ll do the best that we can.”
🔗 SEASON PREDICTIONS: 2021-22, by The Fourth Period Staff, The Fourth Period: “TFP’s Panel of Experts have offered their two-cents on how the 2021-22 NHL season will play out.” Plenty of blue and orange across the board!
🔗Anders Lee Gains New Perspective, Appreciation to Begin This Season, by Christian Arnold, NYIHockeyNow: “Having to adjust a little bit and take things on in a different way, whether it was during the recovery or in the middle of a run,” Lee said. “You can’t take for granted this opportunity to play each day. It’s just a huge privilege and I’m excited to get back to getting on the ice and playing with the boys in a real game. I mean that’s all you really want.”
🔗 Fantasy hockey top 10 waiver wire pickups, by Fantasy Hockey Staff @NHLFantasy, NHL.com: “The New York Islanders defenseman was tied for the NHL lead at the position with five points (one goal, four assists) in three preseason games. Dobson took a step forward last postseason (seven assists in 19 games; 14 points in 46 regular-season games) and has been running the point of their first power-play unit this preseason with exposure to elite center Mathew Barzal.”
📺 WATCH: Get ready to run through a wall, as Isles Territory is back at it again with a hype video that will get you PUMPED for 2021-22 Islanders season:
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Great stuff gentleman ! LGI