Islanders’ Left-Side Defensive Depth Thins Further With Isaiah George Injury

The Hamilton Hammers will be without 22-year-old defenseman Isaiah George for the foreseeable future after he sustained an apparent upper-body injury in their 5-4 shootout loss against the Toronto Marlies. 

"He'll be out for a bit," Hammers head coach Jay McKee said postgame.

Since joining the Islanders organization in 2024-25, George has struggled to stay healthy, dealing with multiple injuries seemingly every season. 

In 2024-25, George played 33 NHL games, but halfway through the season, he sustained a concussion after a reverse hit from Max Domi's elbow. When he returned, he struggled to regain his effectiveness. 

Then, in 2025-26, when defenseman Alexander Romanov went down with a few injuries, the Islanders couldn't recall George because he was injured on both occasions. That led to the Islanders ultimately having to acquire Carson Soucy to fill the hole. 

The Islanders began this season with tremendous depth, particularly on the left side. 

But just a month into this season, they've lost Romanov to a torn right ACL, and now George goes down as well. 

That means Long Island native Marshall Warren is now the No. 1 left-side defenseman in the system. 

The Islanders currently have right-shot defenseman Matt Kessel at seventh defenseman, with Scott Mayfield expected to start for a second straight game. 

The best ability is availability and it's just been tough sledding for George, who is now in the final season of his three-year entry-level deal.