Islanders add Scott Perunovich to defense in trade with Blues

It was yet another unwanted and unneeded ride in what has been a seemingly ceaseless merry-go-round for the Islanders.

The players were formally introduced to their newest teammate, Tony DeAngelo, sometime Saturday afternoon. Then, a few hours after the pleasantries were exchanged, the Islanders lost defenseman Ryan Pulock and backup goaltender Marcus Hogberg to injuries.

Before Monday’s practice at Northwell Health Ice Center, the Islanders announced that Pulock and Hogberg had been placed on injured reserve (retroactive to Saturday) with upper-body injuries. A team spokesperson said there is no timetable for either player to return.

The player personnel carousel continued when the Islanders recalled goaltender Jakub Skarek from AHL Bridgeport and added to their blue- line depth by acquiring St. Louis defenseman Scott Perunovich for a conditional fifth-round pick in the 2026 draft.

Perunovich, 26, played in 97 games in three seasons with St. Louis, averaging 15:08 of ice time. He signed a one-year, $1.15 million contract with the Blues last June and is scheduled to be a restricted free agent this summer. Perunovich has recorded six points (two goals and four assists) in 24 games this season.

The trade for Perunovich, the signing of DeAngelo and the Skarek call-up could be viewed as signs that the Islanders expect Pulock, Noah Dobson and Hogberg to miss extended time.

Dobson suffered a lower-body injury in the Islanders’ 3-1 win over the Blue Jackets on Jan. 20 when his right leg bent at an awkward angle after a check from Cole Sillinger.

As a response to the loss of Dobson, DeAngelo was signed to a one-year, prorated $775,000 contract on Friday. He played 25:07 in the Islanders’ 3-2 overtime win over the Hurricanes on Saturday, a game in which Pulock and Hogberg exited with upper-body injuries.

Pulock was injured when Carolina right wing Jackson Blake’s right leg collided with his left leg 15 seconds into the game as both players were skating behind the Islanders’ net. Pulock twisted his body and fell arm-first onto the ice.

It is believed Hogberg was hurt during a sequence with 7:44 left in the third period on a collision with the Hurricanes’ Shayne Gostisbehere. Hogberg made a save on Gostisbehere’s slap shot and appeared to be shaken up when the defenseman crashed into him while chasing after the loose puck. Hogberg was replaced by Ilya Sorokin before the start of overtime.

It’s possible that Perunovich and Skarek will play sooner rather than later.

Perunovich gives the Islanders seven defensemen, and depending on coach Patrick Roy’s decision-making, Perunovich could slot in for either Dennis Cholowski or rookie Isaiah George as soon as Tuesday night when the Islanders conclude their seven-game homestand against the Avalanche.

And with the club beginning a three-game, four-day road trip on Thursday to Philadelphia, Florida and Tampa Bay, Skarek could start one of those contests.