Scott Mayfield may not look like the same player he was a few years ago, but the New York Islanders still have a use for him.
That much was on display in the Islanders’ 4-2 win over the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden, a preseason matchup that still carried the usual edge. Matias Maccelli scored twice, and Mayfield was in the lineup with several other regulars. His night drew mixed reviews, which fits the larger conversation around where he stands now with this team.
Mayfield has been a favorite target of fans’ frustration for years, even as he heads into his 13th season with the club. The St.
Louis native could appear in his 700th NHL game this season, and there’s no question he has been a steady player for the Islanders. But the wear and tear is showing.
At 33, he has lost some speed in a league that keeps getting quicker, and his decision-making can be shaky.
Still, the contract matters. With four years left and a cap hit of $3.5 million, Mayfield is a relatively affordable right-handed defenseman in the NHL market. For a contender looking for depth, that price point would make him a useful option.
There are still parts of his game that translate. He can kill penalties, and he brings a physical edge that the Islanders do not have enough of overall.
Against the Rangers, he even dropped the gloves. Last season, he led the team with 83 penalty minutes.
But the bigger picture may be changing around him. Mathieu Darche has built more defensive depth in the system, and that could eventually send Mayfield to the press box. Isaiah George and Kashawn Aitcheson are both close to being ready for more NHL minutes, and Aitcheson has stood out this camp and since being selected 17th overall in the 2025 draft.
If George or Aitcheson can claim a spot in the lineup this season, the Islanders would suddenly have two very inexpensive options. In that setup, Mayfield becomes more of a seventh defenseman than a nightly fixture.
Even then, he still brings something useful. His leadership is quiet but real, teammates can count on him for protection, and his shot blocking on the penalty kill remains valuable. A smaller role could extend his effectiveness while giving the younger defensemen room to grow into the league.
In Other News...
Islanders Just Gave A Familiar Roy Voice An Important New Role
The Islanders have brought Benoit Desrosiers back into the fold in a different capacity, hiring the former assistant coach as a pro scout to help strengthen the organizations scouting department. Desrosiers had been working under Patrick Roy with a specific focus on the clubs face-off unit, a detail that mattered because puck possession off the draw has been one of the cleaner parts of the teams game during his time on staff.
His transition comes after a late-season change on the bench, when he was relieved of his coaching duties and replaced by Rocky Thompson. For the Islanders, the move keeps a familiar Roy voice in the organization while shifting Desrosiers into a role that will ask him to evaluate players from a wider lens, an adjustment that could end up being just as important behind the scenes as his coaching work was on the ice. [Read more 🡒]
Islanders Face A Center Problem That Could Define Their Season
The Islanders have found themselves in a familiar sort of roster puzzle, only this one goes straight to the middle of the ice. Bo Horvat is set as the top center, and the rest of the depth chart is crowded with names that can help in different ways but do not all fit neatly into the same role. Mat Barzal, J-G Pageau, Brayden Schenn and Casey Cizikas each bring something distinct, while Cal Ritchie represents the younger end of the conversation as the team sorts through who belongs where.
What makes the situation tricky is that the Islanders have more than enough candidates to fill center spots, yet still not enough ideal answers to make the position feel settled. Recent trades and contract decisions have only added to the complexity, shaping a group that looks versatile on paper but unresolved in practice. For a team trying to define its identity and stay competitive, how the center mix shakes out could end up being one of the seasons biggest quiet storylines. [Read more 🡒]
Islanders May Have The Sorokin Insurance They Desperately Need
The Islanders are heading into the regular season with one of the leagues more important questions already attached to their crease: how well can Ilya Sorokin hold up, and what happens if he needs help? The preseason offered a small but encouraging answer in a win over the Rangers, where Semyon Varlamov made his return to game action and gave the team a reminder of why it has long valued his presence behind Sorokin.
Varlamovs status has been one of the more watchable storylines around camp because the Islanders need stability in net as they settle in for the grind ahead. A reliable backup can change the shape of a season, especially for a team that expects to lean on its starter heavily, and Varlamovs first look back on the ice suggested there may still be meaningful insurance available when the games start to count. [Read more 🡒]