Islanders Place Scott Mayfield On Long-Term Injury Reserve, Surgery A Possibility

It seemed like it was only a matter of time before the New York Islanders placed defenseman Scott Mayfield on long-term injured reserve.

EAST MEADOW, NY -- It seemed like it was only a matter of time before the New York Islanders placed defenseman Scott Mayfield on long-term injured reserve.

The 32-year-old, who signed a seven-year extension worth $24.5 million on July 1, has missed significant time this season.

He'll miss his 20th game Tuesday night when the Islanders welcome the St. Louis Blues to town.

Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello shared the LTIR news Tuesday morning.

"Today we're going to put Scott Mayfield on long term injury," Lamoriello said. "He'll miss a minimum, right now, between four to six weeks, and it could be more. So, we're going to shut it down right now until he gets completely healthy."

Mayfield had missed the last four games with a lower-body injury and had missed seven games earlier in the season, likely with the same injury.

"He's been banged up, on and off with it. And it's come to the point where we have to shut it down, and then a decision will be made after four to six weeks with surgery," Lamoriello said.

Lamoriello also shared that right-handed defenseman Robert Bortuzzo, who is on LTIR retroactive to Jan. 2.

"The good news is that Robert Bortuzzo has been skating for the last week, and I feel that he's maybe just another week away," Lamoriello said. "So, that certainly is going to be of help."

Hudson Fasching, who is on LTIR, is ready to go, and now, with the Islanders having $3.6 million in cap space, they can activate the second-year Islander ($775,000), along with Bortuzzo ($950,000).