The Surprising Twist That Could Change Everything for Islanders and Travis Mitchell

You’ll have to admit—it’s not every day that a rookie defenseman steps up and really shores things up for a team fighting to hold its ground. Travis Mitchell has been that unexpected puzzle piece for the New York Islanders, especially with Alexander Romanov sidelined. Teaming up with Scott Mayfield, Mitchell hasn’t tried to dazzle with flair but instead has anchored the third defensive pairing with a steady, no-nonsense game. Clocking in an average of just over 11 minutes a night, he’s chipped in a goal, chipped away at shots, and thrown his weight around with some serious blocks and hits. It’s the kind of understated contribution that, frankly, could make a big headache for the Islanders’ front office when decisions loom about who stays and who might have to clear waivers. The clock is ticking for Mitchell, and with Isaiah George creeping back into the picture, the stakes for the Islanders’ blue line depth just got a lot more complicated. Curious to dive deeper? LEARN MORE

Rookie defenseman Travis Mitchell has done a fine job in stabilizing the New York Islanders‘ third defense pairing with Alexander Romanov out.

Alongside Scott Mayfield, Mitchell has kept things simple in his 11:06 average minutes per game, with a goal on three shots, five blocks, and 11 hits.

While we don’t know if general manager Mathieu Darche has plans to upgrade that position externally in the near future, given that his team is hovering near the top of the Metropolitan Division and Eastern Conference, and the fact that he has the finances with players on Long-Term Injured Reserve, he does have something to consider when it comes to Mitchell.

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If Mitchell plays against the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday and then against the Vancouver Canucks on Friday, he will lose his waiver exemption.

He has played eight games. He loses his waiver exemption once he plays 10 games.

That means, if the Islanders want to recall defenseman Isaiah George at some point — he just returned to game action with Bridgeport after missing a month with an upper-body injury — Mitchell will require waivers — or another player like Adam Boqvist.

Isaiah George Back In Action With Bridgeport, Giving Islanders Another Defensive Option Defenseman Isaiah George returns from injury, injecting speed and defensive prowess into Bridgeport. Will he earn a call-up to bolster the Islanders’ blue line?

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The Islanders could place someone on injured reserve but carrying eight defenseman seems like overkill.

The Islanders do lack defensive depth — albeit not at the left-side defense position — but risking the loss of someone who has provided stability is not ideal.