One of the defensemen acquired by the Boston Bruins in the trade that sent Taylor Hall and Nick Foligno to the Chicago Blackhawks, Ian Mitchell, has reached a contract agreement with the team. Mitchell, who was originally scheduled for a July 26th arbitration hearing has signed a one-year, $775K contract for the 2023-24 season.
Originally drafted 57th overall by the Blackhawks in the 2017 NHL Draft, Mitchell primarily split time over the last three years between Chicago and their AHL affiliate, the Rockford Ice Hogs. In 82 career games with the Blackhawks, Mitchell scored four goals and 12 assists in total, averaging just over 15 minutes of ice time per night.
At the AHL, he has expectedly been much better on the point sheet, scoring 13 goals and 29 assists for the Ice Hogs in 67 career games. Logistically, given the current construction of the Bruins roster, it would be reasonable to see Mitchell split time between leagues once again.
This summer, the Bruins did lose a bit of forward depth, but their defensive core still remains strong. Headlined by Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm, Jakub Zboril currently projects as the team’s seventh defenseman, with Mitchell just behind him on the depth chart. Not quite a shut-down defenseman, Mitchell has shown strong defensive numbers in the past, evidenced by his 91.2% oiSV% during his time in Chicago.
Hoping Ian has a breakout season. Always root for former DU Pioneers.
He will only get NHL time if there is a injury…
Or a trade or two