Scott Mayfield had a very inconsistent regular season with the Islanders. Still, he should be playing every night.

He played in all 56 games, registering two goals and 15 points with a +2 rating. Those aren’t bad numbers, but I constantly saw Mayfield make careless mistakes. Luckily, his teammates often bailed him out. However, on a defensive powerhouse like the Islanders, Mayfield was a liability.

The Islanders have a plethora of experienced defensemen who can step in for Scott Mayfield. One of them is Thomas Hickey. Hickey only played five games this season, but had two assists and was a +5. The Islanders fanbase is very familiar with Hickey as he has been on the team since the 2012-13 season. When Hickey stepped into the lineup for Noah Dobson, he played outstanding. He was very smart with the puck and made impressive defensive plays.

Unfortunately for Hickey, Barry Trotz prefers to start Scott Mayfield. So, why is Scott Mayfield starting and not another defenseman like Thomas Hickey?

Penalty Killing

The strongest part of Mayfield’s game is his penalty killing. He averaged 2:38 penalty-killing minutes per game, second-most on the team behind Adam Pelech and 33rd in the NHL during the regular season. When Mayfield is in the box, the Islanders’ penalty kill is at a disadvantage. He’s always in a good position and manages the puck well. This allows him to consistently block shots. Mayfield’s presence on the sixth-best penalty kill in the league is irreplaceable.

Mayfield’s Upside

Regardless of all the hate that he receives from the Islanders fanbase, Mayfield does show flashes of being a solid defenseman. He is not the fastest skater in the world, but he makes up for it by using his 6’4, 209-pound frame to his advantage. Mayfield is infamous for blocking players after they dump the puck into the zone, even though it might result in an interference call. However, this is productive as he slows down the forward, and gives his defensive partner time to regroup and break out.

Mayfield is not scared to sacrifice his body either. He had 108 blocks in 2020-21, almost two per game. In two-on-one situations, Mayfield frequently dives to block the passing lane for the puck carrier. This sets up a situation where either the opposing player has to make a perfect saucer pass or take an off-angle shot. 

Current Play

The Islanders are currently in a close series with the Penguins, and Scott Mayfield has four points. In Game 3, he had a beautiful toe drag snipe from the blue line which put the Islanders on the board. Mayfield has gained confidence in his offensive ability as he has already taken 13 shots in the four-game series.

Defensively, Mayfield has made very few mistakes. He is a +3 and hasn’t been a minus in any single game. Mayfield has been a pleasant surprise in the series. 

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Why Not Hickey?

Before the playoffs started, I thought Mayfield was on a short leash. He was making mistakes every game. At a certain point, fans were complaining about him on social media. Towards the end of the regular season, many Instagram comments called for Trotz to bench Mayfield or play Hickey. With the way Mayfield was playing, it seemed like Trotz might have heeded their advice. 

However, Mayfield has been outstanding in this series. He has surpassed my expectations, and I think those who wanted him benched would agree with me. Scott Mayfield’s stout play has kept Hickey, and all the other experienced defensemen, waiting in the Islanders’ press box.

John Smark