Aidan Fulp, D, Western Michigan (NYI) -- March 31
The New York Islanders landed two of the better remaining defensemen in the free agent market that thinned out quickly. Fulp is a bit of a throwback defenseman who defends especially well, keeps a tight gap and can lower the boom when needed. He also makes a good first pass, but no one would confuse him with a dynamic puck mover.
Fulp is 23 years old, comes in at 6-foot-3, 209 pounds. He uses that frame to his advantage and skates well enough to close quickly on opposing forwards. He didn't make my top free agents list, but it's not hard to see why teams were interested in Fulp after his three seasons at Western Michigan. There's still space for heavy defenders in the NHL.
Part of two NCAA tournament teams at WMU, Fulp had 13 points in 2021-22 and 15 in 2022-23. He could have returned for his senior season, but with a number of other NCAA free agents moving on, might as well strike while the iron is hot. Fulp projects as a bottom-pairing possibility down the road, but more conservatively ends up being more organizational depth. He's worth an ELC to find out where that ceiling ultimately is.
Travis Mitchell, D, Cornell (NYI) -- March 31
I've always thought Cornell plays NHL-playoff style hockey where defense is at a premium and they'll out-big the more skilled, quick teams. That is part of what makes Mitchell so intriguing as a defensive add for the New York Islanders, who also added another top defender in Aidan Fulp on the same day.
Mitchell has the size to play the heavy style that is such a hallmark of Cornell Big Red hockey. It will serve him well as he tries to make it to the NHL. At 6-foot-3, 201 pounds, Mitchell wins his share of battles at the net front and along the walls. He makes intelligent decisions with the puck and showed a little more offensive upside this season. He had six goals and 19 points, which was a career best.
Mitchell missed an entire year of hockey due to the Ivy League shutting down athletics for 2020-21, but it did not seem to deter his development. Mitchell has a chance to be a low-lineup defenseman who is used in tough matchups and can play on the PK. He's not an exciting prospect, but he has NHL traits which is why multiple teams were in on him as a blue line option.
Prospect analyst Chris Peters provides notes on each of the college free agents signed to NHL contracts this spring.
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