Ryan Pulock’s bridge deal, signed on Tuesday, seems to be the most prudent course of action for both the Islanders and the 23-year-old defenseman. The two-year deal worth $2 million per leaves room for further evaluation on the part of new president/general manager Lou Lamoriello and coach Barry Trotz, who appear to be maintaining that mode with all their restricted and pending free agents, as you’ll read more about below.



For Pulock, who broke through over the Isles’ dismal second half last season to lead all rookie defensemen with 10 goals while playing heavier minutes than pretty much every rookie D-man outside of the Bruins’ Charlie McAvoy, this contract may not represent an ideal outcome. But he will be an RFA again in the summer of 2020 — right when the next collective bargaining battle will be waged.



So, while Pulock might be a bit delayed in getting his third contract, it may end up being a more lucrative one than had he signed a...