New York Islanders Expansion Draft Depth Player Drama

Rumors are in overdrive with the NHL Expansion Draft just hours away. We still don’t know who the Golden Knights are going to pick from the New York Islanders, but the trail is heating up.

The Vegas Golden Knights have made their selections from the New York Islanders and the other 29 teams in the NHL. But as speculation swirl, we aren’t any closer to knowing who’s going from the island to the desert.

We all saw that incredibly scripted and weird “click” video produced by the Golden Knight. And if not, here it is in all its glory.

I wish we could CSI Miami that screen to see what was on it. Maybe the clues to who the Golden Knights are taking in the expansion draft was right in front of our eyes.

But without that technology, we’re left guessing. But the latest Arthur Staple tweet adds an extra element to who’s going from the Isles:

That doesn’t mean much. But the immediate speculation is that it’s a player that bounced in and out of the lineup as a healthy scratch or someone who spent most of the year in the AHL.

We already know that Adam Pelech and Ryan Pulock aren’t candidates. Both were protected by the New York Islanders.

Must Read: Isles Expansion Protection List Revealed

So that leaves players like Alan Quine, Scott Mayfield or Shane Prince. Alan Quine tops the trio with 61 games played this season. Prince hit the 50 game mark while Mayfield saw 25 games this season.

Neither of the three are anything close to core players. Although Alain Quine would make a good Casey Cizikas 2.0 with a significantly smaller cap hit.

Scott Mayfield

But of those three it’s Scott Mayfield I’d be most sad losing. Not to say that I want to keep him. But If I had any affinity for either of the three it would be Mayfield.

It’s not the physicality that he brings, although that’s a nice thing to have in a contact sport. It’s what he was able to do during his time with the Isles.

In those 25 games, Mayfield put up nine points. Not a great return on the surface. But his 1.37 points per 60 was good enough for the top spot on the New York Islanders blueline. He also led all defensemen in 5on5 Corsi-For with a 51.1%. The only defenseman to hit above 50%.

Next: Travis Hamonic Wins Foundation Award

The New York Islanders have to lose someone in the expansion draft and if it has to be Scott Mayfield I’m pleased. The core is still intact. Vegas would get a good young player in Mayfield.