What happened: Matthew Schaefer and Adam Pelech crowd the New York Islanders' left side, leaving George without a clear NHL role. The 22-year-old remains waiver-exempt entering the final year of his entry-level contract.

Why it matters: The Pittsburgh Penguins need NHL-ready help on the left side of their defense. George fits their recent preference for young players seeking larger roles, but the Islanders could retain him as injury depth.

What to watch: Training-camp assignments will clarify George's place on the Islanders' depth chart and whether a trade becomes realistic.