3 New York Islanders buyout candidates this summer

The New York Islanders’ changes at the top will eventually trickle down to the ice. Those changes will end up impacting the roster in one way or another. While there’s no telling how that impact could occur until there’s a new GM officially put in charge, we can speculate about what direction the Isles will take in their roster construction moving forward.

Without embarking on a full-blown rebuild, which is certainly a possibility, we must entertain the thought of a substantial retool heading into next season. That retool could include getting out from under three burdensome contracts.

So, let’s explore three New York Islanders buyout candidates this summer.

3 New York Islanders buyout candidates this summer

Scott Mayfield

When Lou Lamoriello signed Scott Mayfield to a seven-year, $24.5 million deal, he thought the Islanders were getting a reliable top-four defenseman who could play well into his 30s. That situation, however, hasn’t materialized as Mayfield, while still serviceable, has struggled to keep up.

He’s been on the shelf multiple times during the first two years of his deal, then sliding down the depth chart when healthy. Down the stretch this season, he was a healthy scratch a number of times.

So, with five years left on his contract at $3.5 million AAV, Mayfield could find himself as a buyout candidate.

According to PuckPedia, he’s eligible for 67% of his remaining salary as he would be bought out at age 32. That means the Islanders would be on the hook for $11.67 million of his remaining $17.5 million.

Plus, Mayfield has five years left on his deal, meaning the New York Islanders would have Mayfield’s contract on the books for the next 10 seasons (five years x two).

Buying out Mayfield leaves the Isles with a $1.17 cap hit on the books for the next seasons, saving the team $2.33 million for the next five.