Ryan Pulock
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

An important piece of the Islanders’ present and future gets a long-term deal done.

As the New York Islanders get ready to start a new season with the highest of expectations, the organization has reportedly locked-up one of its most important players.

According to TSN’s Darren Dreger, Ryan Pulock has agreed to an eight-year extension.

This deal would have a $6.25 million AAV for the right-shot top-pair defenseman, which is tremendous value when you consider what other defensemen like Dougie Hamilton in New Jersey and Seth Jones in Chicago received on their new contracts this past summer.

Pulock, 27, has emerged as an elite defenseman over the past couple years.

In August the Islanders signed their other young top defenseman, Adam Pelech, to an eight-year deal that carries a $5.75 million AAV, beginning this season. Which means, beginning in the 2022-23 season, the Islanders will have arguably the best top pair on their blue line for $12 million combined dollars.

Lou Lamoriello is a magician. These two deals should help keep the Isles competitive for most of the next decade.

Tab has written about MLB, the NHL and the NFL for more than a decade for publications including The Fourth Period, Bleacher Report and La Vida Baseball. He is the author of two books about the Chicago Blackhawks and has been credentialed for the MLB All-Star Game and postseason and multiple Stanley Cup Finals. He is the co-host of the Line Drive Radio podcast.