Islanders Ink Forward Mitchell Chaffee to One-Year Deal
The New York Islanders announced Tuesday that they have signed forward Mitchell Chaffee to a one-year contract, a move that bolsters the team’s forward depth heading into the upcoming season.
Chaffee, 28, arrives after a season in which he posted a career-high 57 points with the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch, a performance that followed 109 NHL games split between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Minnesota Wild.
Across his NHL tenure he has recorded 26 points — 16 goals and 10 assists — while also contributing 257 hits, nine playoff appearances and his first career playoff goal in the 2024-25 campaign.
A Career Defined by Versatility
The forward’s journey began in college at the University of Massachusetts, where he was a Hockey East Scoring Champion in 2018-19 and amassed 95 points over three seasons before turning professional.
Prior to college, Chaffee honed his skills in the USHL, playing for the Bloomington Thunder and Fargo Force, and even tried his hand at golf during those years.
A notable connection for the Islanders is the presence of General Manager Mathieu Darche, who shared a stint in the Lightning organization with Chaffee, potentially easing his transition to New York.
With a blend of offensive skill, physical play and a proven track record in the AHL, Chaffee is expected to compete for a bottom-six role and could see time on the power play as the team evaluates options.