In this exclusive interview with The Hockey News, New York Islanders defenseman Scott Mayfield discusses his ankle injury, his season thus far, while also providing shot-blocking insight.

EAST MEADOW, NY -- New York Islanders defenseman Scott Mayfield went through a new experience during the 2022-23 season. For the first time in his NHL career, the St. Louis native was a pending unrestricted free agent.

Following the 2017-18 season, former Islanders general manager Garth Snow inked Mayfield to a five-year deal worth $7.25 million, at a low annual average value of just $1.45 million.

Over those next five years, Mayfield became a reliable bottom-pair defenseman who could play big minutes and help out on the penalty kill. 

While his game was not flawless -- no one's is -- there's no question that the Islanders got Mayfield at a bargain price.

It became clear last season that Mayfield wanted to be a Long Islander for life but also owed himself the opportunity to get paid.

Mayfield and his camp killed two birds with one stone as they came to terms with the Islanders on a seven-year deal worth $24.5 million, a yearly cap hit of $3.5 million, per CapFriendly. 

The contract became official on Jul. 1, along with a few others. 

"That's always been what I've wanted," Mayfield said on the term."I love it here. The family loves it here. It takes me to 37. That's special to me. That's special for my family, and the terms was a big part of that. 

"I was really excited for that."

There's no question that the term played a vital role in the lower AAV, with the salary cap expected to rise exponentially in 2024-25. 

News broke this week that the cap could increase to $87.7 million (currently at $83.5 M), making Mayfield's contract very affordable. 

It would also be a contract that could likely be moved if need be.

Mayfield began the 2023-24 season in his usual spot at the third right defense position alongside Sebastian Aho. 

Unfortunately for the 31-year-old, a block of a Rasmus Dahlin slap shot off the outside of the left ankle in New York's season-opening 3-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres sidelined Mayfield for the next seven games. 

He returned to the lineup on Nov. 2 against the Washington Capitals, being forced into more minutes than expected as teammate Adam Pelech left that game early with a lower-body injury. 

"It was good. I don't know if it was the ease into it -- going down to five defense -- that I kind of expected, but it feels good," Mayfield said following a 3-0 win. 

Since being back, Mayfield and the rest of the defense have struggled to play the structured brand of hockey the Islanders have been known for.

Even in Lane Lambert's first season, where there was a clear push for more offense, the structure came together at the end of the 2022-23 season, helping the Islanders to qualify for postseason play.

But this season, especially in the third period, staying structured hasn't come easy, leading to blown leads regularly. 

The Hockey News caught up with Mayfield to talk about his season, the injury he is still recovering from, and the art of shot-blocking. 

Mayfield's Season & Ankle

In 17 games this season, Mayfield has two assists, with 50 blocks and 24 hits in an average of 19:12 minutes per game.

According to NaturalStatrick.com, the six-foot-5, 220-pound defenseman has been on the ice for nine five-on-five goals for New York and 11 for the opponent, with 8 of the 11 against coming when the Islanders have had the lead. 

Those numbers aren't squarely on No. 24, but he's played a part in the results. 

It's easy for professional athletes to blame injuries for on-ice struggles, but in a sport where the ability to be mobile is a major part of the job, having any lower-body injury makes life challenging.

"Any time you have a lower-body injury, it's a pain to work through, and I'm still dealing with it a little bit, Mayfield told The Hockey News. "It's part of the game. Injuries happen. It's just dealing with it and doing everything you can to make yourself feel comfortable every night.

"Some nights are better than others, that's for sure."

Even though Mayfield isn't 100 percent -- no athlete is once the season begins -- the Islanders' backend is already missing two key pieces. 

Pelech is on long-term Injured Reserve, and Aho is on Injured Reserve, as both are dealing with upper-body injuries.

While Pelech has not resumed skating, Aho has been on the ice the last two days but there's no timetable for when he will be ready to get back in the lineup. 

Lower-body injuries are nothing new for the shot-blocking, physical blue-liner. 

In 2021-22, Mayfield missed the final 21 games of the regular season after blocking an Erik Brannstrom shot off the inside of the right ankle against the Ottawa Senators on Mar. 22. 

Mayfield also broke his leg in 2017-18. 

Although the physical pain needs to be limited in order to play, Mayfield shared that recovery is more of a mental battle.

"It's kind of a mental grind, just knowing it will get better," Mayfield told THN. "There's days where you put your skates on and feel like it'll never get better. So, it's a little bit of a mental grind, putting yourself in positions when you aren't feeling that good. 

"You might not be 100 percent on that foot, and you got to make sure that you put yourself in a position where you're not getting caught, you're not flat-footed. You're always moving."

The biggest thing for Mayfield in his recovery is the off-ice work.

"That's the biggest thing for me," Mayfield said. "It's been a lot of work, a lot of extra time around the rink, a lot of extra time getting treatment and stuff like that. 

"So it's it's starting to come around. I'm still feeling it a little bit, but it's feeling pretty good."

When injuries happen, whether it be during shot blocks or going hard into corners, we sometimes see athletes hesitate to put themselves in those situations again.

We saw it from Simon Holmstrom last season when he returned from a lower-body injury after going knee-on-knee with Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett in what was a scary collision that left him sidelined for six games. 

Mayfield said that some guys are more hesitant than others but that his job description doesn't allow for that.

"[Shot blocking] is what I have to do to be effective," Mayfield said. "Definitely, while this one's healing, I'm trying not to get hit in the same spot, that's for sure. But it doesn't change my mindset at all."

Mayfield wears skate guards to provide a little more protection and has been adding even more safety guards, given his ankle.

Mayfield's Insight on Shot Blocking

The way Mayfield suffered his injury this time around was different than the ankle injury a few years ago, taking the Dahlin shot off the outside of the ankle as opposed to the Brannstrom one going off the inside.

The Hockey News asked Mayfield if deciding how to block the shot is a style thing or a desperation thing. 

"My biggest thing is just get in the lane and get the block," Mayfield said. "I don't care if I have to go down to one knee, if I have to slide...it doesn't matter. It doesn't matter which way you decide to go. I see guys turn their backs, and I would say that's not ideal because you don't have a lot of padding back there. I've seen guys spin around. I've seen guys lift their leg.

"There are times where it almost looks like you are trying to get out of the way, but it's actually -- the movement you make -- you're trying to put yourself in a way that just gets by, and that happens. Matthew Tkachuk had a goal [in Florida]. I turned to try to get that one, and he put it right to me, and then you're screening your goalie, and that's not ideal. But if it's blocked, it goes the other way."

"Sometimes, I just try to tell myself that some of them are going in to make yourself feel better [when sacrificing the body]," Mayfield said. "Everyone has their own ways, and I like turning. I like going sideways. I think my screens are bigger that way, and I just want to get the block."

You can watch Rosner talk Islanders hockey on Hockey Night in New York with co-host Sean Cuthbert live Sunday nights at 8 PM ET during the season at twitch.tv/hockeynightny.