EXCLUSIVE: Islanders Ryan Pulock Opens Up About Emerging From His Shot Consistency Struggles

New York Islanders defenseman Ryan Pulock has struggled with shot consistency over his NHL career. He spoke with our Stefen Rosner about what's impacted his shot.

When the New York Islanders drafted Brandon Wheat Kings defenseman Ryan Pulock with the 15th overall pick at the 2013 NHL Draft, the belief was that they were adding a top-notch offensive defenseman. 

After a tad over three seasons in Bridgeport (2013-17), Pulock became a staple in the Islanders' lineup and brought the offensive immediately. 

In 2017-18, Pulock potted 10 goals and 22 assists, averaging 2.70 shots on goal per game, missing the net 0.79 times per game. 

The following season, Pulock scored nine goals with 28 assists for 37 points in 82 games, averaging 2.19 shots per game, missing the net 1.39 times.  

In 2019-20 (a shortened season), Pulock scored 10 goals and 25 assists for 35 points in 68 games, averaging 2.40 shots per game. missing the net 0.76 times per game.

But that would be the last season where the offense and point totals stood out.

The NHL went with a 56-game season coming in 2020-21, where Pulock played in all the games, netting two goals with 15 assists for 17 points, averaging 2.16 shots per game. 

He set a new career-low in misses, with 0.66 per game. 

A full 82-game slate had him on pace for just three goals and 21 assists, a major drop-down in production. 

Then a major lower-body injury in 2021-22 had him out of the lineup for 26 games, where he scored five goals with 16 assists for 21 points, averaging 2.17 shots per game. 

He missed the net 1.7 times per game, a new career-high. 

Pulock was on pace for seven goals and 23 assists for 30 points, which would have been his best season since 2019-20. 

Back healthy for an entire season in 2022-23, he scored five goals, but his 21 assists were his most since the 2019-20 season, with 1.54 shots per game, missing the net just 0.71 times per game. 

Despite missing 24 games this season due to a lower-body injury, Pulock has been producing this season, with four goals and six assists in 34 games, which equates to 9.6 goals over 82 games. 

He's missed the net just 0.6 times per game, and if that holds, would be the lowest of his career.

Pulock had two goals in his first 25 games of the season and has two over his last nine games, the latter of the two coming last night in the first period of the Islanders' 3-2 overtime win against the Dallas Stars:

So, what's changed this season for Pulock?

He told The Hockey News earlier this month that he hasn't changed his shot over his career, but what has given him troubles over his career is the piece of equipment in his hand. 

"I think the biggest difference is the stick," Pulock said. "I think the construction and sticks have changed so much over the last few years, and I've actually struggled with it a bit.

"Everything's lighter, and I've always been using a stiff stick, a little heavier, so it's trying to find the balance and all that."

But Pulock feels like he's found the right stick, for now.

"I actually feel like I'm in a good spot right now with what I'm using," the veteran defenseman said. "I think my slapshot is a big part of my game. Dating back to juniors, that was one of my weapons that probably helped me get drafted. I think if I look back at the stats, probably three-quarters of my goals are probably slapshot, so it's an important part of my game."

Pulock has 448 slapshots since breaking into the NHL in 2016, with 19 of his 46 career goals coming with the wind-up finish. 

"It's something I've tried to dial in, and with technology changing, it's always a battle, but it's something you got to always look into and try to find the best options," Pulock said. 

THN asked Pulock what twig he was rocking now. 

"Actually, I'm using an older model, Bauer. I don't even know when it's from, but it's a few models ago."

"I get into these positions a lot where I have trouble moving into the newer technology on things," Pulock said. "Once I'm comfortable with something, it's hard to change. "

"I definitely have gone through some periods where I've struggled with control. I do the same thing with one stick, and then you switch to a different one, and it's just, like, you don't have that control. Right now, I feel in control over it. I feel like I have a good feeling, but also, I think, with just how fast the game is now and guys in lanes, something you're shooting for sticks, which might be away from the net. Sometimes you are shooting for bodies. Sometimes it is hard to have a lane at the net. I think its just having to get comfortable with something and sticking with it and using that."

With Islanders head coach Patrick Roy making the lineup changes he has, stockpiling the three most productive forwards on the top line, getting production from members of the backend becomes critical.

If Pulock, who is feeling comfortable right now, can find a way to increase his production now, it could be the difference in the Islanders watching the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs from the couch or from ice level.