The New York Islanders have signed defenseman Isaiah George to a three-year, entry-level contract, per a team announcement. CapFriendly reports that the deal carries a $950K AAV and breaks down as follows:
2023-24: $775K base salary, $95K signing bonus, $80K in GP bonuses
2024-25: $775K base salary, $95K signing bonus, $80K in GP bonuses
2025-26: $775K base salary, $95K signing bonus, $80K in GP bonuses
George, 19, will be returned to the OHL’s London Knights for 2023-24 after attending Islanders training camp, which will defer the start of his contract to the 2024-25 season. Selected in the fourth round (98th overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft, George has displayed consistency throughout his junior hockey career and projects as a smooth-skating shutdown defender at the NHL level. He’s totaled 13 goals, 32 assists and 45 points in 121 appearances for the Knights over the past two seasons, alongside a promising +46 rating.
Standing at 6 feet and 198 pounds, the Islanders would like to see George fill out his frame before transitioning to the pro game. He’ll likely report to the AHL’s Bridgeport Islanders in 2024-25 and could very well spend two or even three seasons there before getting an extended look in the NHL lineup. He’s a bit of a project, as is the case with most defenders drafted in the later rounds, but he does carry significant shutdown upside should he make the NHL.
George officially joins an Islanders defense prospect pool devoid of any major upside but has a few nice pieces in 2019 second-round pick Samuel Bolduc (who looks to lock down a full-time NHL role this season) and 2022 second-round pick Calle Odelius.