Saying, Adam Pelech doesn’t belong on the top pair for the New York Islanders isn’t some hot take. Over the past four years, Pelech has proven time and time again that he’s a sixth or seventh d-man and that’s it.
Yet, the Islanders have him playing a position that’s way over his head. He’s paired with Ryan Pulock playing over 20 minutes a night.
Last year, Pelech was averaging 19 minutes a night and that didn’t go well so seeing him on the ice, even more, is a real headscratcher. He was best-suited playing just under 17 minutes a night in 2016-2017 as a third pairing guy.