Is Ryan Pulock, a defenceman with the New York Islanders, ready to go back?
Pulock is no longer listed on Long-Term Injured Reserve according to the NHL media portal, following the Islanders’ report that forward Julien Gauthier cleared waivers.
The organization has not yet verified Pulock’s departure.In a 7-3 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on December 7, the 29-year-old blue liner was hit in the lower body by a Zach Werenski point shot that struck him in the ankle area
The Islanders placed defenseman Robert Boruzzo on Injured Reserve on December 7 and received the St. Louis Blues’ 7th-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft in return.Before sustaining a lower-body injury on January 2 during a 5-4 overtime loss to the Colorado Avalanche, Bortuzzo played 11 games for New York.
Pulock was placed on Long-Term Injured Reserve on December 30 in order to provide the Islanders the cap flexibility they needed to activate Adam Pelech out of LTIR.The Islanders can activate Cizikas and Bortuzzo off LTIR whenever they’re ready thanks to their $3.15 million deadline cap space.A hip injury sustained in the team’s 3-0 victory over the Washington Senators on November 2nd caused Pelech to miss three games earlier this season. The team is calling Pelech’s injury in the first period a “upper-body” injury as he left the ice holding what appeared to be his left wrist.
Pelech will be replaced in the starting lineup by Samuel Bolduc, who will be the team’s seventh defenseman. The Islanders will have to recall a defenseman from Bridgeport if Aho is late. In 16 games this season, the 29-year-old Pelech has three assists and no goals with an average TOI of 19:38. He’s been playing with Noah Dobson most lately as head coach Lane Lambert has split Pelech from Ryan Pulock
