trim_14028474-D033-4FF6-B654-3A09671C9AFC New York Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/] defenseman Grant Hutton was a finalist for their seventh defenseman role after a solid training camp. The Islanders ultimately decided to go with Dennis Cholowski because of his power-play skillset. To go to Bridgeport of the American Hockey League, Hutton had to pass through waivers, which he did. However, due to injuries to Adam Pelech (jaw), Alexander Romanov (upper body), and Mike Reilly (concussion/heart), Hutton found himself back up ahead of the Islanders game against the New York Rangers on Nov. 3. Because Hutton had already cleared waivers before the start of the season, he remained waiver-exempt until he spent 30 days on the NHL roster or played in 10 games, whichever came first. On Monday, Hutton hit the 30-day mark, and on Tuesday, he played in his 10th game of the season. Now, if the Islanders wanted to send him back to Bridgeport once Pelech returns -- he's skating on his own -- Hutton would need waivers. Due to a crowded waiver wire and the need for teams to be salary cap and roster-compliant, there was little risk of Hutton being snatched. But given his size — 6'3" and 210 lbs — and his ability to play on the penalty kill as a right-side defenseman, the risk is exponentially higher. The Islanders do have choices. If rookie Isaiah George, 20, isn't going to remain in the starting lineup once Pelech returns -- he should -- he is waiver exempt. Having George serve as the seventh defenseman has some value, but that value doesn't outweigh playing big minutes for Bridgeport. The Islanders could also waive Cholowski. Despite Cholowski's skating ability and power-play skills, head coach Patrick Roy elected to play Hutton over him on Tuesday night. That decision spoke volumes. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjExMTYzODIyNjc1NzMyMTU3/usatsi_24902901.jpg] The Islanders could have given Hutton more time by optioning him to Bridgeport, paper transactions, on off days, or games where he wasn't playing so he could get more days on the NHL roster before needing waivers. Eventually, the time would have run out, but maybe, by then, Pelech could be back, and Hutton could be safely in Bridgeport with no risk involved. We'll see what the Islanders elect to do, but losing a big-bodied right-side defenseman with no real substitute waiting in Bridgeport would be a major depth loss. Hutton has two assists and is a +2 in 10 games, averaging 13:56 minutes a night, with 10 blocks and 11 hits.
