Matthew Schaefer’s Olympic Buzz Is Real - But Should the Islanders Pump the Brakes?
Matthew Schaefer is turning heads. Not just around the NHL, but now on the international stage.
The New York Islanders’ 18-year-old rookie defenseman has reportedly entered the conversation for Team Canada’s 2026 Olympic roster - and not as a long-term projection. According to Elliotte Friedman, Schaefer is already being considered as a late addition for the upcoming Games.
That’s a massive nod of respect for a player who’s barely old enough to vote. Olympic rosters don’t typically make room for teenagers, especially on a loaded Canadian blue line that could feature names like Cale Makar, Dougie Hamilton, and Aaron Ekblad.
But Schaefer’s play this season has been impossible to ignore. He’s logging over 25 minutes a night - including a 28-minute shift fest against the Flyers on November 28 - and he’s done it with poise, physicality, and the kind of maturity that makes you double-check his birth certificate.
But as exciting as it would be to see Schaefer suit up in red and white on the Olympic stage, there’s a real conversation to be had in Long Island: Should the Islanders actually want him to go?
Heavy Minutes, Heavy Stakes
Let’s start with the workload. Schaefer hasn’t missed a game this season.
He’s been the Islanders’ minute-muncher, leaning into top-pair responsibilities like a seasoned vet. But that kind of usage adds up - even for an 18-year-old with fresh legs and boundless energy.
The Olympic break could be a golden opportunity for Schaefer to catch his breath. If the Islanders are serious about making a playoff push - and based on the standings, they absolutely are - then keeping Schaefer rested and ready for the stretch run might be the smarter play. The postseason is a grind, and asking a teenager to carry a top-four load all season and play in the Olympics is a big ask.
Olympic Dreams Can Wait
There’s also the timeline to consider. Schaefer’s just getting started.
If he keeps developing at this pace, he’ll have multiple chances to represent Canada on the Olympic stage - possibly in 2030, 2034, and beyond. Unlike some of the league’s top stars - think Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, and Auston Matthews - who are nearing 30 and haven’t had a shot at Olympic play due to past NHL absences, Schaefer isn’t racing the clock.
His window is just opening.
For those veterans, 2026 might be their one and only Olympic opportunity. For Schaefer, it could be the first of many. And that’s a key distinction.
The World Juniors Decision Was the Right One
This isn’t the first time the Islanders have had to weigh Schaefer’s international aspirations against team priorities. Earlier this year, they declined to release him for the World Juniors - a tournament he’s still technically eligible for. And that decision made a lot of sense.
Schaefer’s already outgrown that level of competition. He’s not just holding his own in the NHL - he’s thriving.
Sending him back to junior hockey, even for a high-profile tournament, would’ve been a step backward. Plus, with the Islanders in the playoff hunt, they need him right where he is.
Some argued that if the Islanders were having a down year, the World Juniors could’ve been a nice way for Schaefer to stay sharp and build confidence. But that’s not the case.
The team is very much in the mix, and Schaefer is a key part of their success. There’s no need to send him halfway across the world for a confidence boost he clearly doesn’t need.
Let Team Canada Decide - But the Isles Have a Say
Team Canada’s final Olympic roster isn’t due until the end of December, so there’s still time for things to shake out. And if Hockey Canada decides Schaefer belongs, it’ll be hard to argue against the honor. But don’t be surprised if the Islanders quietly push back - or at least raise a few eyebrows behind the scenes.
It’s not about denying Schaefer a dream. It’s about protecting a young cornerstone in the middle of a demanding rookie campaign.
The Olympics are a massive stage - but so is the Stanley Cup Playoffs. And right now, the Islanders are hoping Schaefer can help them get there.
If he keeps playing like this, he’ll have plenty of Olympic moments ahead. The question is whether 2026 needs to be one of them.