Inside the NHL’s Biggest Contract Blunders of 2025: Shocking Surprises from Huberdeau to Provorov
7. Ryan Pulock
Contract: $6.2M x five years
Surplus Value: -$16M
Positive Value Probability: 8 percent
At the peak of the most recent Islanders era, Ryan Pulock was one half of one of the league’s best shutdown pairs. Even if the production wasn’t there, Pulock looked like a true top-pair stud with his ability to win difficult matchups with Adam Pelech. It’s what made it seem like an eight-year deal at $6.2 million could be a great deal. Today, it looks anything but.
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In two of the last three seasons, the Islanders have struggled a lot more with Pulock on the ice at both ends of it. Last season was especially dismal with a 45 percent xG rate and a minus-0.49 relative xG rate per 60. The latter was one of the league’s worst marks. Pulock struggled greatly to help the team offensively in any way and it’s what dropped his standing from capable No. 2/3 to a low-end No. 4. If that.
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