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Eyes On Isles
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New York Islanders NFL Style Cut List For 2018-19 Season

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 05: Mathew Barzal #13 and Jaroslav Halak #41 of the New York Islanders celebrate a 2-1 win over the New York Rangers at Barclays Center on April 5, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 05: Mathew Barzal #13 and Jaroslav Halak #41 of the New York Islanders celebrate a 2-1 win over the New York Rangers at Barclays Center on April 5, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/NHLI via Getty Images)
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GLENDALE, AZ – JANUARY 22: Scott Mayfield #42 of the New York Islanders during the NHL game against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on January 22, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. The Coyotes defeated the Islanders 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – JANUARY 22: Scott Mayfield #42 of the New York Islanders during the NHL game against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on January 22, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. The Coyotes defeated the Islanders 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Scott Mayfield | D

12 points, 25-years-old

The New York Islanders defense was it’s worst quality last season. It’s not even debatable that the defense cost the Islanders a shot at the playoffs. With a top-eight offense in the league, they had the firepower to make some noise. They just couldn’t stop puck going into their own net.

Next season the Islanders defensive top four should look like Nick Leddy with Johnny Boychuk again followed by Ryan Pulock and Calvin de Haan in the second pairing. Bring up the rear is a trio of Adam Pelech, Devon Toews, and Thomas Hickey.

Scott Mayfield was a good player for the Islanders. But in a bottom pairing position, I prefer Adam Pelech over the 6’5″ Mayfield.

The Islanders also have to make room to accommodate Devon Toews who should make the opening day roster next season. And we haven’t even talked about the Islanders fifth-round pick last season, Sebastian Aho.

This is, of course, a world where no trades are made and players don’t leave in free agency. We know that in the real world the Islanders need to make a trade for a top-four defender. They’ll also likely lose one of, if not both, Calvin de Haan and Thomas Hickey in free agency.

Even though Mayfield has that fresh five-year deal, I cut him.

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