The year didn't end as Scott Mayfield, or anyone would have wanted. The New York Islanders defenseman's season-ending injury was a big blow for him and for the Isles. But looking back at his year it was a good one for him.
Defense: Sebastian Aho | Zdeno Chara | Noah Dobson
Forwards: Josh Bailey | Mathew Barzal | Anthony Beauvillier | Kieffer Bellows | Casey Cizikas | Cal Clutterbuck | Anders Lee | Brock Nelson | Matt Martin | Kyle Palmieri | Jean-Gabriel Pageau | Zach Parise | Oliver Wahlstrom
Team Level: New York Islanders
New York Islanders 2021-22 report card: Scott Mayfield
Offense: A
Three goals and eighteen points in 61 games. Pace that out over a full season and Mayfield is a 24-point player. That's an excellent return for Scott Mayfield whose previous career high was 19 points over essentially a full season (79 games).
When the D-core was decimated with COVID Mayfield held down the fort for the Isles. He was out of his element but boy did he do well with it. He's not a top-pair defenseman but Mayfield was able to step up a bit offensively for the team.
Defense: A
Only Adam Pelech had a better relative 5on5 xGA/60 than Scott Mayfield's -0.1. That's massive for Scott Mayfield. We know he's not the number one guy on the team but we know his strength is a big solid in the defensive zone. HIs xGA/60 proves that.
Mayfield wasn't asked to play big minutes (when the team is healthy), but when he's out there he's doing a great job defensively. His transition games needs work but we're not grading that here.
Impact vs. Reliance: B
Mayfield sits fourth in total average ice time at 19:46TOI. Ideally, Mayfield shouldn't be fourth in reliance. He's a great bottom-pair guy so he shouldn't be a top-four guy. But he still finished the season fourth in average game score.
Credit to Mayfield that his impact matched his reliance even if he was cast in a role that was above his level.
Final Grade: B+
This was a really solid year for Scott Mayfield. He was asked to do more than he should and he delivered.