Islanders D-Man Ryan Pulock to Miss 2-4 Weeks

Ryan Pulock, a defenseman for the New York Islanders, will miss 2-4 weeks following an injury sustained during the team's game against the Minnesota Wild on Thursday.

The injury occurred early in the contest after Pulock took a hit from Blake Coleman and did not return to play during the overtime victory. Isaiah George was recalled from the AHL Hamilton team to provide additional depth as an extra blue liner for Saturday's game against the Edmonton Oilers.

Initially, there was hope that Pulock's absence would be brief, as George was sent back to Hamilton on Sunday. However, the team later announced Pulock's injury timetable, indicating the decision was primarily to give George playing time with the Islanders until Thursday.

Pulock, who has spent all 12 of his NHL seasons with the Islanders, joins several teammates on the injury report. Fellow defenseman Alex Romanov is out for the season, while forwards Calum Ritchie and Matias Maccelli remain week-to-week.

Star winger Mathew Barzal is still skating on his own, though a return timeline remains uncertain. Barzal has yet to make his 2026-27 debut after inflammation in his surgically repaired knee forced him out.

The growing number of injuries has sparked speculation about the NHL's decision to shorten the preseason to four games and limit players with 100 or more games of pro experience to just two of those contests.