Ryan Pulock is heading into training camp with a much better feeling than he had for much of last season.
The New York Islanders defenseman said he’s on track after undergoing offseason shoulder surgery, and the early signs have been positive as he works his way back through rehab.
Last season, Pulock said the wear and tear caught up with him.
“For me, it was a bit of a grind at times,” Pulock said after last season. “Trying to compete every night.
Had to play through some things. I’m not gonna sit here and make excuses.
I think either way, I wish I could have been better, especially down the stretch.”
The 31-year-old spent much of his summer on Long Island with his family while also continuing the recovery process. Now, he says the shoulder is responding well.
“I’m feeling really good and strong right now,” Pulock said of his shoulder. “It’s something you never really want to go through, but I’m glad things are on track.”
Even while dealing with physical issues, Pulock remained a key piece on the Islanders’ blue line. He finished with three goals and 24 assists for 27 points in 76 games, and he led the team with 148 blocked shots. Since the NHL began officially tracking blocked shots in 2005-06, Pulock leads the Islanders with 1,201.
That kind of work is still at the center of how he sees himself.
Asked about his personal goals for the 2026-27 season, Pulock kept the attention on the team. “It’s always about doing everything possible for the team in whatever that role may look like,” Pulock said via NewYorkIslanders.com.
In Other News...
Former Islanders First-Round Pick Nears A Career Turn He Never Wanted
Oliver Wahlstroms career has reached a familiar and uncomfortable crossroads for a former Islanders first-round pick who was once expected to become a long-term piece on Long Island. After the Islanders moved on from him, he was claimed off waivers by the Bruins and later spent time in the AHL, where he led the San Jose Barracuda in goals last season. Now, with an NHL spot still not materializing, his next move may be taking shape far from the league he first entered as a high pick.
For the Islanders, it is another reminder of how quickly once-promising draft capital can drift into uncertainty. Matt Maggio recently signed with Salavat Yulaev of the KHL after not receiving a qualifying offer from New York, and Wahlstrom appears to be on a similar path as reports link him to the same league. It is not the destination anyone in his camp would have preferred, but it is becoming harder to ignore as the market for NHL openings keeps shrinking. [Read more 🡒]
Islanders Just Gave Fans Two Big Reasons To Circle UBS Dates
The Islanders are already giving fans a reason to start eyeing the 2026-27 calendar, with the club rolling out a promotional schedule at UBS Arena built around theme nights, giveaways and the kind of small extras that help turn a random home date into a must-see outing. Military Appreciation Night, GOAT USA Night and other specialty events are part of the mix as the team looks to keep the building feeling busy and connected all season long.
Two of the bigger draw nights stand out immediately for fans planning ahead, with bobblehead giveaways on tap for Ilya Sorokin and Matthew Schaefer. There is also a Star Wars Day celebration set for March 7, marking the 50th anniversary of the franchise with a limited-edition bucket hat giveaway, giving Islanders supporters a few early markers to circle before the puck even drops on the season. [Read more 🡒]
Islanders Suddenly Have A Young Star In The Hart Conversation
Noah Schaefers rookie year already put him on the map in a big way, and now the attention is moving well beyond ordinary rookie hype. The Islanders defenseman closed his first season with 59 points and tied the NHL rookie record for goals by a defenseman, a start that has turned him into one of the more interesting names to watch heading into 2026-27.
What makes the conversation around Schaefer so unusual is the ceiling attached to it. If the Islanders put together a successful season, his two-way impact could carry him from emerging cornerstone to legitimate Hart Trophy contender, a rare lane for a defenseman in an award that has not gone to one since 1999-2000. For a team looking for a young star to anchor its next push, that is a storyline worth keeping close. [Read more 🡒]