The Islanders are testing a new wrinkle with Matthew Schaefer, and it could have a ripple effect all over their blue line.
At training camp, Schaefer skated on the right side next to Adam Pelech, a notable shift for the 18-year-old defenseman after he spent the early part of his rookie season on the left side of the third pairing. That arrangement did not last long before Schaefer’s play pushed him up the ladder, with stretches where he was even logging time on the top pairing on the right side.
Head coach Peter DeBoer made clear the move is about keeping options open.
"It's coming," he said yesterday when asked about Schaefer getting work on the right side during camp. The switch arrived today, and DeBoer said the goal is simple: build familiarity now so the team can use it later if the lineup calls for it.
"I want to introduce him to it," DeBoer said today of Schaefer playing on the right. "It's not the first time he's played right.
Like I said, he ends up on that side a lot in games when you watch him anyway. I think the rest of our lineup will dictate that.
Who elevates here in training camp, who plays well - do we need him on the right because of the rest of the D is rolled out? Are we hit with any injuries?
Just the familiarity with having had some reps on teh right so that we have that option in all those situations is the idea."
The Islanders’ depth on the left side of defense is a big reason this matters. If Schaefer can handle the right, it creates more room for other defensemen to work their way into the lineup.
That was on display in camp as well, with Kasahwn Aitcheson and Tony DeAngelo skating together, while Isaiah George and Scott Mayfield were paired up.
Aitcheson and George are two defensemen who look ready to become everyday NHLers, and Schaefer’s ability to shift to the right side could be what helps open that door.
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