Isles giving Pulock long look
It started as a chance to develop, and might have turned out to be a lot more.
The Islanders got the bad news on Tuesday that topsix defenseman Thomas Hickey could be out for what coach Jack Capuano called “an extended period of time,” meaning up to four weeks, with an upperbody injury suffered in Monday’s preseason game against the Capitals.
At the same time, the team sent down blueline prospects Scott Mayfield and Adam Pelech, leaving only 20yearold Ryan Pulock as the lone young gun on the backend.
“You know what, you don’t know what can happen on a daily basis,” Capuano said after practice. “[Pulock] is doing very well. I thought his camp started out slow, but at the same time, he’s really progressed in the last two or three games, and that’s the Ryan Pu lock that we need to see.”
Before Monday’s game, Capuano was quick to say Pulock was sticking around strictly for the experience, implying it was only a matter of time before he was sent down to AHL Bridgeport. But assuming Hickey is out come the regularseason opener on Oct. 9 — also the inaugural match at the team’s new home, Brooklyn’s Barclays Center — then Brian Strait will be on the third pair with newly added veteran Marek Zidlicky.
Yet Strait has spent the past two seasons in and out of the Islanders lineup, and Zidlicky is the 38yearold former Devil whose offensive skill is only belied by his penchant for risky plays and defensive lapses. Capuano said ideally, he would like to keep seven defensemen, which means in the absence of Hickey, Pulock is that extra guy, ready to jump in at a moment’s notice. “I think that was my main goal coming in, just to work hard and give myself the best chance to make this team,” Pulock said. “I think so far, that’s what I’ve been trying to do. I have to continue to do that.”
The real hesitation for Capuano seems to be his desire for Pulock to play in games. The team’s first round pick (No. 15 overall) in the 2013 draft has only 57 games of pro experience in the AHL, so if he isn’t capable of being a consistent everyday contributor, then once Hickey is healthy, Pulock likely will be back down to Bridgeport for his seasoning.
“I want guys to play,” Capuano said. “You always want to have seven ‘D,’ if you can. But at the same time, keeping that many bodies — I want guys to play, especially our young players. To play and develop, that’s the most important thing for me.”
Yet winning is important as well, especially on the heels of the Isles’ firstround ouster in last season’s playoffs. If the 6foot2, 215pound Pulock can take advantage of the opportunity provided, he might end up giving them the best chance.
“For myself, I just have to play my game,” Pulock said. “I can’t really change things. My game is what got me to this point.”