Mitchell, acquired in a trade last offseason involving Taylor Hall and Nick Foligno with the Blackhawks, is now in his fourth year and has been making solid contributions on the blue line. He notched two assists in 12 games with Boston and one assist in four games with Providence this season.
The timing of Mitchell's return is significant, especially considering the recent bumps in the road for defenseman Charlie McAvoy following the Bruins' loss to the Winnipeg Jets. Although McAvoy made a comeback in that game, the upcoming back-to-back set against the Minnesota Wild raises questions about his availability, making Mitchell a probable contender for a spot in the lineup.
This news follows a challenging period for the Bruins' defensive lineup, dealing with injuries to players like Matt Grzelcyk, who couldn't join the road trip due to an undisclosed injury.
Mitchell's versatility has been on full display as he filled in for Parker Wotherspoon and Mason Lohrei, providing Head Coach Jim Montgomery with crucial options to navigate the team's defensive challenges.
