Travis Mitchell returns to Bridgeport as the NY Islanders could soon make another recall

The NY Islanders have decided to make a roster change, electing to return Travis Mitchell to the AHL, where he’ll join the Bridgeport Islanders.

Playing nine games with the Islanders since being recalled, Mitchell made his NHL debut on November 26th, recorded his first career goal and point on December 11th against the Anaheim Ducks, and averaged 11:32 of ice time. 

Mitchell returned to Bridgeport

Mitchell's return to Bridgeport is no fault of his own. By playing in his tenth game of the season, he’ll no longer be waivers exempt, meaning he’ll need to pass through waivers to remain with the organization.

With only two healthy left-handed defensemen, the Islanders will likely make a subsequent move to fill that void.

One player we could see return to the Islanders lineup is Isaiah George. Sticking with the team until the end of training camp, George made quite the impression on the coaching staff and front office, playing in 33 games. 

George, 21, a fourth-round pick in 2022, has played 16 games in Bridgeport this season, recently returning to the lineup after missing a month due to injury.

“At the end of the day, whatever they do, you still have to earn your spot on the team,” George said during rookie camp. “That’s the way I look at it. I mean, going into last year, I’d say most people didn’t expect the season I had and where I was playing, but I didn’t look at it that way that summer, and I just kept working, and you never know how things go.”

Bridgeport has a game scheduled for tonight, so we likely won’t see a call-up until tomorrow at the earliest, but George could soon receive his second opportunity at playing NHL games.