3 Islanders That May Not Be Back for the 2023-24 Season

Scott Mayfield

Just as we’ve seen many times before from the New York Islanders, Scott Mayfield may be a victim of a cap crunch. At the age of 30, Mayfield will be entering unrestricted free agency for the first time in his career. For the past five years, he had one of the more valuable contracts in the league, with only a $1.5 million cap hit.

Now in the prime of his career, one would have to think that Mayfield would like a nice payday before it’s all said and done. For a team like the Islanders, they can’t afford to pay him a hefty sum into his mid 30s. On the open market, Mayfield can possibly command $4-5 million. That’s just too much for an already aging Islanders team.

On the other hand, there’s always a chance he takes a hometown discount. He has stated how much he’s enjoyed his time on the Island and has built roots. Maybe he doesn’t want to give that lifestyle up. 

It gives Lamoriello a difficult decision to make. He’s stated that the Islanders would love to bring him back. It will have to come at a higher price though. Young blue liners Samuel Bolduc, Robin Salo, and Parker Wotherspoon are all knocking on the door for a full time job. This can give the Islanders some flexibility and youth that they desperately need.