New York Islanders March Madness Storyline Voting Round One

Belmont Announcement v. Mayfield Extension

Belmont was no contest over Scott Mayfield’s five-year contract extension. As it should. The only important factor of the Mayfield extension was that Garth clearly has faith in the man.

Where the importance of winning the Belmont proposal are endless. (Maybe not endless, but it’s hard to find a negative).

With Belmont, the New York Islanders will be able to build, from scratch, a building to their specifications. NO off-center scoreboard, great sight lines, no obstructed views. They’ll be able to install state-of-the-art ice making equipment. No more PVC piping for them! And it’s going to be on the Island. (I know Brooklyn is technically on Long Island, but you know what I mean).

With Belmont, the New York Islanders get to ditch Barclays and take control of their own business operations. It should grant them the economic opportunity to be a cap team for years to come.

Look, I like the Mayfield contract. I like the cost certain that it gives. I understand that it’s unorthodox, in that you don’t generally give bottom pair defensemen long-term deals. I also understand that when the Isles go all rogue and give unorthodox contracts it typically bites them in the rear. But for $1.45 million on the cap, it’s hard not to like it.

Next: 10 Step Plan To Fix The Islanders

But there’s no way that the stability of the franchises long-term economic future thanks to Belmont was ever going to lose out on an arguably OK deal.

At least in terms of re-establishing the brand as a hockey market