New York Islanders: Scott Mayfield 2018-2019 Season Grade

In his first full season, Scott Mayfield was very solid for the New York Islanders. He had a much more expanded role than in years past.

Drafted back in 2011, Scott Mayfield has been in the New York Islanders system for a long time. He made his NHL debut during the 2013-2014 season, playing just five games and he also played two games during the Capitals series in 2015 despite playing zero regular season games.

In both 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 Mayfield was around in a part-time role. In 47 games last year he had 12 points playing 17:51 per night. The Islanders defense struggled terribly that year but something about Mayfield always intrigued me.

He’s a physical guy and at six-foot-five and 223 pounds he’s not afraid to use his body. After being a part-time player for the past two years he had a much more regular role only missing three games.

In those 79 games, he had 19 points (4 goals, 15 assists). Those aren’t incredible numbers for a defenseman but when you consider the kind of player Mayfield is, a stay-at-home d-man, it seems like fairly solid production.

When the Islanders decided to call up Devon Toews, one of their better defensive prospects, Barry Trotz decided to pair him with Scott Mayfield. Toews is more of a defenseman who can carry the puck with speed and get into the action offensively.

Mayfield is more of the stay at home defensive-minded in the bunch. It’s fair to say this pairing worked out for the Isles and they probably became the Islanders second best pair only behind Pelech and Pulock by years end.

In the playoffs, Mayfield was part of the reason for the Isles dominance over the Pittsburgh Penguins. They were able to shut down Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and the rest of the explosive offensive of the Pens fairly easily.

Arguably the best part of the Scott Mayfield package is his contract. He has four more years left with a $1.45 million cap number. The Isles have both Pelech and Mayfield under contract for at least two more years under $2 million each with Ryan Pulock only making $2 million next year and Devon Toews making $700,000 next season. That’s a fairly cheap defensive core.

The Grade

Mayfield’s year was a solid one. He didn’t do anything to wow you but he was just a reliable piece to the defensive group. For that, Mayfield earns himself a respectable B+ on his season with the Islanders.

Next year, expect Mayfield to be paired with Devon Toews again, likely as the second pair. The Toews and Mayfield duo should be together for the foreseeable future and that’s a great sign.