Pulock frustration?

[RevRath]

I didn't see any recent threads or discussions dedicated to Ryan Pulock so I apologize if I missed one! I should note the leagues I own Pulock in include:
G, A, PPP, SOG, Hits, Blocks

Anyone else feeling a little frustrated with him so far? I know it's early but his shot rate through 15 GP is what's especially alarming to me. He's under 2 shots per game right now, yet seeing FIVE more minutes of ice time overall vs last year and his PP time is in line with last season. I'm one to preach patience and sure, he could go off for another 3 pt night and suddenly he's at a 40 pt pace, but I don't watch the Islanders on a daily basis to see his overall performance or if he's passing the "eye test."

Probably a mixture of getting too excited for his potential multi-cat ability and then seeing this slow start, but this is why I love the forums. The discussion! He's still putting up a decent amount of hits and is blocking more shots with added SH time, so hasn't been a complete drag. I get that D men (especially those not receiving top PP minutes) are prone to slumps, but I'm curious to see what others think and if this is just a blip over 82 games. I'd also like to state I'm not freaking out here and realize it's a long season lol, simply wondering if maybe I overvalued his multi-cat contributions based on his finish last season. He doesn't have the track record and thus my concern over what to expect going forward.

Thoughts/insight appreciated!

[masterjeff]

It's all about the ice time

He's at 23 mins, impossible to not get things going imo.. he'll get that pp1 gig soon enough..i'm giving another month

[butch]

pp1 unit is getting a bit stale with barzie overhandling the puck looking for the open man so I think pulocks shot is going to be introduced soon if things dont change quick

[ericdaoust]

Personally I don't think there's any reason for concern here. A bit of a slow start but he's getting some points and his ice time is outstanding. He's within striking distance of last year's numbers and he's doing it with less firepower up front. Maybe it's a matter of him being overhyped...

[RevRath]

Personally I don't think there's any reason for concern here. A bit of a slow start but he's getting some points and his ice time is outstanding. He's within striking distance of last year's numbers and he's doing it with less firepower up front. Maybe it's a matter of him being overhyped...

Agreed, I'll admit I was really high on him going into this season...specifically for multi-cat purposes. And I know I wasn't alone.

I thought maybe I was missing something here, but I know it's early. Thanks for the replies.

[tcat]

I dropped him in my 1 yr league for Heiskanen. We shall see if it pays off

[Wonko]

I think Pulock will break through soon enough. He is getting great ice time and has had some bad puck luck. I still think he finishes around 40 points with good peripherals.

[agentzero]

He’s not alone on the isles blue line suffering. I don’t think I’ve seen a team score so many goals without their D getting in on them. Leddy, Pulock and boychuk struggling... meanwhile the team is scoring. Very odd. I chalk it up to puck luck. Either that or Trotz is running a system that takes the D entirely out of the offence lol.

[masterjeff]

One point today

[ericdaoust]

One point today

See, it's not all bad. He's a short hot streak away from being on last year's pace.

[stimperi]

I am as big a Pulock hyper as any, but I must say I am a little concerned here.

I`m afraid the Islanders will have their tires flat soon. They are on an epic PDO -bender basically. Not a good team. Of course they will score some goals anyway, but I feel like this combination of being cold when the team is hot and then the upcoming team-level regression will have an impact on Pulock`s numbers.

[bondon]

He’s not alone on the isles blue line suffering. I don’t think I’ve seen a team score so many goals without their D getting in on them. Leddy, Pulock and boychuk struggling... meanwhile the team is scoring. Very odd. I chalk it up to puck luck. Either that or Trotz is running a system that takes the D entirely out of the offence lol.

To me this is the most important point raised in this thread, along with the fact that he might have just been overhyped as Eric suggested.

It is very odd for a defenseman as hyped up as Pulock to not get more points. It's not like the Islanders are having a real tough time scoring either.

[saucelife90]

He's still getting 2+ minutes more a night than Leddy right now, so it's not about opportunity. He's averaging 2 shots a game, but nothing's going in. I'd hang tight, eventually things will turn around.

[FFleming5]

I think Pulock is a great player and has a bright future - that being said, I feel like many have gotten ahead of themselves with projecting his performance in the short-mid term. We need to temper expectations with the reality of coaches managing players, their particular skill sets and uses in the NHL.

Pulock may be better than Leddy on both sides of the puck but that doesn’t mean that he will get all of that ice time. What we do know is that Pulock is way better than Leddy as a defense first option - while he may only be marginally better than Leddy as an offense first option.

Thus, Pulock’s WAR if you have it is worth more to the team on the PK and in defensive play. Given that Leddy can run the powerplay well, is the 2nd highest paid defenseman on the roster and needs to munch minutes to justify keeping him on the roster at his salary it makes the most sense to use him on the Power-play and to use Pulock on the PK.

Leddy has 4 years left on his deal so I do not see this use changing. $5.5m v. $2m.

Avg. ice time use shows this to be current use of these players, and I see no reason to change it given the current roster and salary components of the team

[DusterDave]

I own him in my points only money league. We are only aloud 3 moves per season so you have to be certain about dropping players. I’m strongly considering dropping Pulock once Shea Weber returns.