Friedman: Teams believe Scott Mayfield is "all but re-signed" with NY Islanders

It's July 1st, the start of NHL free agency, where players around the league test the market looking for the best fit and, more often than not, the best deal. It's understandable. For some players, it could be the only opportunity throughout their careers where they get to see how high their value is for a multi-year deal somewhere else.

Teams believe Scott Mayfield is "is all but re-signed" with NY Islanders

That's what 30-year-old defenseman Scott Mayfield has in front of him. Drafted 34th overall in the 2011 NHL Draft, the rugged right-handed defenseman is a UFA for the first time after signing what turned out to be the friendliest of deals with the New York Islanders in 2018 (5 years, with an average annual value (AAV) of $1.45M). That cap number provided the team flexibility in recent years to bring back some of their high-priority free agents.

Now, it's time for Mayfield to get paid. The 6'5 defenseman is entering free agency with his market value arguably at an all-time high after setting a career-high in goals (6) and points (24) as the Islanders' defense factored in the scoring more so than in previous seasons. He played all 82 games and came out of the season healthy. He has proved to be a reliable bottom-pair defenseman that can slide into the top four and elevate his game in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

However, perhaps getting the highest offer isn't the top priority for Mayfield this time around either.

In a late-night column ahead of free agency, SportsNet's NHL insider Elliotte Friedman wrote, "One team that hoped to talk to Scott Mayfield believes he is all but re-signed by the Islanders. Hopefully, it will be announced before Christmas."

At break-up day on May 1st, the defenseman went out his way to talk about reasons why he and his wife love it on Long Island and why they want to stay. "My mind is still the same as what it's been. I love it here, my wife loves it here, Mayfield said. "We have our house, not too far from the rink, it's a great setup. My mindset is the same. This is where I want to be and we'll see what happens."

If Mayfield does indeed re-sign with the Islanders, we'll see how team-friendly the deal is this time around. Did the Islanders step up and pay him market value, or will Mayfield accept a team-friendly deal for the second time in his career?

We'll soon find out.