Adam
Pelech
D · NYI · Defensive · Excellent
- PAL
- 81
- WAR
- 1.4
- Value
- 73
- PTS
- 16
2025-26№ 46 / 325
Adam Pelech (New York Islanders) stats and profile: offensive production, ice time, advanced stats, WAR and PAL rating.
Adam Pelech
HEIGHT : 191 cm · WEIGHT : 96 kg · SHOOTS : L
Born : August 15, 1994 · Toronto, Canada
Drafted : 2012 · NYI · round 3, pick #65
Contract : $5,750,000 · 2021-22 → 2028-29 · Standard Contract · UFANTC / M-NTC
NHL record
| Year | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-27 | New York Islanders | 16 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 23 |
| 2025-26 | New York Islanders | 82 | 4 | 12 | 16 | 50 |
| 2024-25 | New York Islanders | 60 | 0 | 21 | 21 | 32 |
| 2023-24 | New York Islanders | 58 | 1 | 15 | 16 | 27 |
| 2022-23 | New York Islanders | 61 | 6 | 15 | 21 | 36 |
| 2021-22 | New York Islanders | 78 | 3 | 25 | 28 | 42 |
| 2020-21 | New York Islanders | 56 | 4 | 10 | 14 | 18 |
| 2019-20 | New York Islanders | 38 | 1 | 8 | 9 | 20 |
| 2018-19 | New York Islanders | 78 | 5 | 16 | 21 | 24 |
| 2017-18 | New York Islanders | 78 | 3 | 16 | 19 | 28 |
| 2016-17 | New York Islanders | 44 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 6 |
| 2015-16 | New York Islanders | 9 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| NHL totals | 658 | 31 | 149 | 180 | 306 | |
Playoffs
| Year | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | New York Islanders | 5 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 2022-23 | New York Islanders | 6 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| 2020-21 | New York Islanders | 19 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 13 |
| 2019-20 | New York Islanders | 21 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 8 |
| 2018-19 | New York Islanders | 8 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 6 |
| Playoff totals | 59 | 3 | 13 | 16 | 33 | |
Adam Pelech: our analysis
2025-26 season: 82 GP, 4 G, 12 A, 16 PTS, +4 +/-, 20:53 TOI. WAR 1.4 (46th of 325) · PAL 81, excellent.
In 2025-26, Adam Pelech, 32, posts a PAL Rating of 81 out of 100 (excellent), and his WAR of 1.4 ranks 46th among 325 regulars, in the top quarter.
His strengths: defense (100, among the best in the league), possession (92, among the best in the league) and creation (66, above average). On the other hand, penalty kill (3, among the weakest in the league) and power play (15, among the weakest in the league) hold him back.
Breaking down his WAR (goals above average), his biggest contribution: EV defense (+9.2); his biggest cost: finishing (-2.1).
A marked decline: his PAL was 91 in 2024-25, against 81 now; his WAR, though, went from 0.1 to 1.4.
Contract-wise, his Value score of 73 (good value) weighs his output against what he costs: 50 is what that salary should buy.
Adam Pelech's story
Growing up in Toronto, Adam Pelech followed his older brothers into organized hockey, developing through the Toronto Marlboros before moving on to major junior with the Erie Otters after the 2010 OHL Priority Draft. His work ethic on and off the ice stood out early; he combined steady defensive play with strong school results during his junior years.
With Erie, Pelech emerged as a reliable shutdown defenceman and earned notable junior honours: he won the Ivan Tennant Memorial Award and the Bobby Smith Trophy, and he represented Canada at the 2011 Ivan Hlinka tournament where the team captured gold. He also skated for Canada at the 2012 IIHF U18 Championship. Those accomplishments helped lead to his selection by the New York Islanders, 65th overall in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.
Pelech turned pro in 2014 after signing an entry-level contract with the Islanders and began his career with their AHL affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. He received multiple NHL recalls and made his debut on November 13, 2015, in a 4–1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks. His progress included setbacks: a thoracic outlet condition that required surgery, an Achilles injury sustained in a pregame warmup, and a later wrist operation, each interrupting his ascent.
From 2017–18 onward Pelech became a regular in New York's lineup. He scored his first NHL goal on November 23 in a 3–2 win over Anaheim and soon established career highs in assists and points while cementing his role as a shutdown defender and penalty killer. The Islanders rewarded his steadiness with a four-year deal in 2017 and an eight-year extension in 2021.
On the international stage at junior level, Pelech won gold at the 2011 Ivan Hlinka and bronze at the 2012 U18 Worlds, and he later played at the 2014 World Junior Championship. His game is defined less by flash and more by discipline: he blocks shots, kills penalties and logs heavy minutes in roles that prioritize defensive structure and reliability.
Facts drawn from Wikipédia, told in our own words.
Advanced stats
- TOI/GP
- 20:23
- PP TOI/GP
- 0:12
- SH TOI/GP
- 3:24
- Pts/GP
- 0.19
- EV points
- 3
- Hits
- 14
- Blocks
- 30
- Takeaways
- 1
- Corsi % (SAT)
- 45.0 %
- Off. zone starts
- 26.9 %
Stats and photos: NHL (NHL.com)
2026-27 projection
Projected points
15between 6 and 23 (80% range)
- Goals
- 4
- Assists
- 11
- Games
- 77
So far: 3 pts in 16 games. The team has played 16 of 84 games. Projected pace: 0.19 pts per game (last season: 0.20).
The projection follows last season's pace. Tested on 2,265 player seasons (2022-23 to 2025-26): average miss of 9 points over 82 games; for players at 0.9 points per game and up, it ran 5 points high on average.
Trend
Slight decline
- Points per game: 0.28 in 23-24, 0.20 in 25-26
- PAL Rating: 91 → 81
Outlook, age included
↓ DecliningAge 32: the age when production usually declines
This is only a projection. It knows nothing about injuries, trades or role changes; one player in five finishes outside the range.
Player ratings, 2025-26
All ratings →Fourteen ratings from 0 to 100 drawn from data, never by hand: 75 = established NHL player, 95+ = elite.
OV · OverallConfidence 84 %
81
Very good
- SK
- Skating
- 73
- Confidence 73 %
- ST
- Strength
- 75
- Confidence 87 %
- EN
- Endurance
- 79
- Confidence 80 %
- DU
- Durability
- 76
- Confidence 77 %
- CK
- Checking
- 74
- Confidence 87 %
- FG
- Fighting
- 71
- Confidence 62 %
- DI
- Discipline
- 68
- Confidence 87 %
- FO
- Faceoffs
- —
- PA
- Passing
- 67
- Confidence 84 %
- SC
- Scoring
- 63
- Confidence 84 %
- DF
- Defense
- 93
- Confidence 81 %
- PS
- Penalty shot
- 64
- Confidence 8 %
- EX
- Experience
- 87
- Confidence 100 %
Why these ratings?Hide details
SK — Skating73
- Top speed (35 %)35.6 · 77
- Bursts > 20 mph /60 (30 %)1.554 · 70
- Distance /60 (20 %)13.9 · 68
- Speed consistency (15 %)34.7 · 76
ST — Strength75
- Contact absorbed /60 (50 %)4.622 · 71
- Body mass (50 %)0.64 · 79
EN — Endurance79
- Ice time per game (45 %)20.1 · 79
- Total ice time (20 %)1,666 · 83
- Shift length (15 %)44.6 · 63
- Lowest recent ice time per game (15 %)19.1 · 80
- Special-teams time per game (5 %)2.499 · 77
DU — Durability76
- Share of games played (100 %)0.823 · 76
CK — Checking74
- Hits /60 (70 %)2.956 · 74
- Lowest seasonal rate (20 %)2.514 · 74
- Season volume (10 %)4.205 · 77
FG — Fighting71
- Fights per 82 games (100 %)0.766 · 71
DI — Discipline68
- Net penalty value /60 (50 %)-0.06 · 68
- Penalties taken /60 (30 %)0.79 · 67
- Penalties drawn /60 (20 %)0.437 · 78
PA — Passing67
- Primary assists /60 (40 %)0.292 · 66
- Secondary assists /60 (20 %)0.367 · 70
- Offensive creation (RAPM) (20 %)-0.019 · 72
- Power-play points /60 (10 %)3.781 · 66
- Assist consistency (10 %)0.217 · 73
SC — Scoring63
- Goals /60 (25 %)0.139 · 62
- Individual xG /60 (20 %)0.219 · 77
- Finishing (goals − xG per shot) (20 %)-0.364 · 42
- High-danger chances /60 (15 %)0.107 · 75
- xG per shot (10 %)0.032 · 59
- Shot attempts /60 (10 %)11.4 · 81
DF — Defense93
- RAPM defense /60 (35 %)0.277 · 98
- Relative xG against (20 %)-0.368 · 97
- On-ice xG against /60 (15 %)2.487 · 82
- Penalty kill /60 (10 %)-0.249 · 57
- Takeaways − giveaways /60 (10 %)-1.321 · 89
- Shot attempts against /60 (5 %)56.9 · 80
- Blocked shots /60 (5 %)4.628 · 77
PS — Penalty shot64
- Shootouts (60 %)32.7 · 76
- Penalty shots (40 %)25.4 · 57
EX — Experience87
- Career regular-season games (65 %)91
- Career playoff games (25 %)77
- NHL seasons (10 %)84
OV — Overall81
- DF · Defense (30 %)93
- PA · Passing (22 %)67
- SK · Skating (12 %)73
- SC · Scoring (12 %)63
- EN · Endurance (9 %)79
- ST · Strength (6 %)75
- DI · Discipline (5 %)68
- CK · Checking (4 %)74
| Season | OV | SK | SC | DF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 81 | 73 | 63 | 93 |
| 2024-25 | 87 | 75 | 58 | 95 |
| 2023-24 | 79 | 69 | 67 | 86 |
| 2022-23 | 81 | 72 | 77 | 86 |
The bars show confidence (sample size), not player quality. — : not enough data, not a zero. Engine version 1.0.
WAR and PAL ratings, 2025-26
How we rate →PAL Rating scores performance from 0 to 100 against players at the same position (50 = average player), starting from the player's strength, offensive or defensive. Value Rating compares that performance with what the player costs: 50 means paid what the play is worth.
WAR
1.4
wins above replacement
46 of 325
PAL Rating
81/ 100
Performance · Excellent
44 of 250 at the position
Value Rating
73/ 100
Good value
5.75 M$ · expected PAL 66
ProfileDefensiveValue comes mostly from defense
- Offense
- 54
- Defense
- 96
See full detailsHide details
- Offense
- 21
- Creation
- 66
- Shooting
- 38
- Possession
- 92
- Defense
- 100
- Discipline
- 31
- Power play
- 15
- Penalty kill
- 3
From 0 to 100; 50 is the average player at the same position, adjusted for ice time.
| Season | Team | WAR | PAL | Value | Cap hit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | NYI | 1.4 | 81 | 73 | 5.75 M$ |
| 2024-25 | NYI | 0.1 | 91 | 84 | 5.75 M$ |
| 2023-24 | NYI | 0.2 | 65 | 44 | 5.75 M$ |
| 2022-23 | NYI | 0.8 | 70 | 48 | 5.75 M$ |
Hockey IQ, 2025-26
Rankings and method →The quality of the player's decisions with and against the puck at 5-on-5, against regulars at the same position (50 = average). PAL measures output; IQ measures how the player plays.
Overall IQ
61/ 100
Average
better than 61% of defensemen, offense and defense combined
Offensive IQ
57/ 100
Average
passing, shots, puck
Defensive IQ
60/ 100
Average
takeaways, discipline, own zone
Why 61, higher than both scores? Overall IQ isn't an average, it's a rank: 87 of 225 defensemen. Few players are good at both ends at once; being so puts Adam Pelech ahead of almost everyone else.
See full detailsHide details
Offense
- Playmaking passes
- 36
- Shot selection
- 30
- Penalties drawn
- 69
- Puck management
- 88
Defense
- Takeaways
- 68
- Discipline
- 16
- Safe zone exits
- 92
Percentiles: 80 means better than 80% of regulars at the same position. Play without the puck (positioning, coverage) isn't measured: the NHL doesn't publish that data.
| Season | Team | IQ | Off. | Def. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | NYI | 61 | 57 | 60 |
| 2024-25 | NYI | 76 | 55 | 85 |
| 2023-24 | NYI | 63 | 64 | 57 |
| 2022-23 | NYI | 53 | 29 | 77 |
WAR, 2025-26
How it's calculated →Wins added to the team, compared with a replacement-level player called up from the AHL.
1.4
wins above replacement
0.5 to 1.8 — 90% interval
46 of 325 defensemen
+7.3 goals above replacement
Full leaderboard →See full detailsHide details
- EV offense
- +0.1
- EV defense
- +9.2
- Power play
- -0.0
- Penalty kill
- -1.4
- Shooting
- -2.1
- Penalties
- -1.9
- Average → replacement
- +3.5
In goals.
| Season | Team | GP | WAR | 90% interval | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | NYI | 82 | 1.4 | 0.5 to 1.8 | 46/325 |
| 2024-25 | NYI | 56 | 0.1 | -0.5 to 0.4 | 169/314 |
| 2023-24 | NYI | 58 | 0.2 | -0.3 to 0.4 | 133/316 |
| 2022-23 | NYI | 61 | 0.8 | -0.6 to 1.9 | 59/334 |
Player tracking (NHL EDGE)
League EDGE leaderboards →Speed, shot power, distance covered, time by zone: measured by chips in the puck and shoulder pads. 90th percentile = better than 90% of players.
- Hardest shot
- 142.1 km/h54th percentileleague avg. 139.7 km/h
- Top skating speed
- 33.3 km/h28th percentileleague avg. 34.0 km/h
- Bursts over 20 mph, season
- 752nd percentileleague avg. 8
- Offensive zone time
- 38.8 %17th percentileleague avg. 42.4 %
See full detailsHide details
- Total distance, season
- 72.9 km65th percentileleague avg. 56.1 km
- Distance, single-game high
- 5.31 km62nd percentileleague avg. 4.98 km
- Offensive zone at 5v5
- 41.0 %32nd percentileleague avg. 42.8 %
- Neutral zone time
- 17.4 %16th percentileleague avg. 16.9 %
- Defensive zone time
- 43.8 %9th percentileleague avg. 40.8 %
Shooting
| Shots on goal | Goals | Shooting % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All | 1970th percentile | 172nd percentile | 5.3 %51st percentile |
| High danger | 051st percentile | 084th percentile | 0.0 %0th percentile |
| Mid range | 366th percentile | 073rd percentile | 0.0 %50th percentile |
| Long range | 1177th percentile | 195th percentile | 9.1 %90th percentile |
Shots on goal by zone
2026-2027 regular season. Measured by puck and player tracking chips; the percentile ranks the player within the league.
Game log, 2026-27
NJD
CAR
EDM
MIN
NSH
DAL
LAK
ANA
TOR
OTT
VAN
TBL
CHI
NYRAdam Pelech: frequently asked questions
How many goals does Adam Pelech have in 2026-27?
Adam Pelech has 1 goal and 3 points (2 assists) in 16 games in 2026-27.
How old is Adam Pelech?
Adam Pelech is 32 years old: he was born on August 16, 1994.
How tall is Adam Pelech, and how much does he weigh?
Adam Pelech is 6'3" (191 cm) and weighs 212 lb (96 kg).
Where is Adam Pelech from?
Canada: Adam Pelech was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
What team does Adam Pelech play for?
Adam Pelech plays for the New York Islanders in the NHL, at D, wearing number 3.
Is Adam Pelech injured?
No: Adam Pelech is not on the latest NHL injury report. This answer is updated throughout the season.
How good is Adam Pelech?
Adam Pelech produced 1.4 wins above replacement (WAR) in 2025-26, 46th of 325 players at his position in the NHL. His PAL rating is 81 out of 100: excellent for his position.
How much does Adam Pelech make?
Adam Pelech earns $5.8M for the 2025-26 season. His Value Rating is 73 out of 100 (good value): it measures the on-field return for that salary, compared with players at his position.
When does Adam Pelech's contract end?
Adam Pelech's contract runs through the 2028-29 season; he will then be an unrestricted free agent. It includes a NTC / M-NTC clause.
Is Adam Pelech overpaid?
No, he gives more than he costs. His Value rating is 73 out of 100 (good value), where 50 is the output expected for his salary, compared with players at his position.
Is Adam Pelech a top-10 player at his position?
No: by WAR, he ranks 46th of 325 players at his position in the NHL in 2025-26. Our comparison tool puts him side by side with any other player.
Is Adam Pelech getting better?
No, he is slipping: his PAL rating went from 91 in 2024-25 to 81 in 2025-26 (out of 100, 50 = average player at his position).
How has Adam Pelech played lately?
Over his last 10 games, Adam Pelech has 1 point (1 goal, 0 assists).
What are Adam Pelech's career stats?
Over his NHL career, Adam Pelech has 658 games, 31 goals, 149 assists and 180 points. His best season: 2021-22, with 28 points in 78 games.
Where was Adam Pelech drafted?
Adam Pelech was drafted 65th overall (round 3) by New York Islanders in 2012.
Is Adam Pelech better at home or on the road?
No real difference: in 2026-27, he averages 0.22 points per game at home (2 in 9 games) and 0.14 on the road (1 in 7 games).
How does Adam Pelech perform in the playoffs?
In the playoffs, Adam Pelech has 59 games and 16 points in his career. His pace (0.27 points per game) is similar to his regular-season pace (0.27).
Which player is most similar to Adam Pelech?
Kaedan Korczak: he is the player at his position whose PAL profile (the 0-to-100 dimensions) is closest to his in 2025-26.
Kaedan Korczak's page →Is Adam Pelech a good fantasy pick?
Probably not, except in deep leagues: our projection has him at 15 points in 2026-27, or 0.19 points per game.
Does Adam Pelech have siblings?
Yes: his brother Michael Pelech, his brother Matthew Pelech.
Is Adam Pelech related to anyone famous?
Yes: Bo Pelech (father, former all‑Canadian university basketball player).
Is Adam Pelech married?
Yes, married to Jen in 2022.
What is Adam Pelech's nationality?
Adam Pelech is Canadian. Internationally: Represented Canada at junior level: gold medal at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament (2011), bronze medal at the IIHF World U18 Championships (2012), participated in the World Junior Championships (2014).
What awards has Adam Pelech won?
Ivan Tennant Memorial Award (2011–12 season) ; Bobby Smith Trophy (2011–12 season) ; OHL Midwest Division Academic Player of the Month – October 2010 ; Erie Otters Rookie of the Year (2010–11 season) ; Selected to the NHL All‑Star Game (2022).
How many championships has Adam Pelech won?
2: Gold medal with Team Canada at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament (2011); Bronze medal with Team Canada at the IIHF World U18 Championships (2012).
Where did Adam Pelech play before turning pro?
Played minor hockey with the Toronto Marlboros; then drafted by and played for the Erie Otters (joined the Otters in 2010–11 and remained in major junior through 2014 before signing his entry‑level contract)..
How many points is Adam Pelech projected to score in 2026-27?
Our projection has him at 15 points in 77 games in 2026-27 (6 to 23 points, 80% interval), based on his recent seasons, age and role.
See also: his New York Islanders teammates
Full roster →
NHL.com ↗ · Stats and photos: NHL (NHL.com)