Matthew Schaefer Is Turning Heads - And Turning the Islanders Around
Matthew Schaefer wasn’t supposed to be this good, this fast. But here we are, halfway through the season, and the 18-year-old defenseman isn’t just holding his own - he’s anchoring the New York Islanders blue line like a seasoned pro.
Let’s start with the numbers: 13 goals and 30 points in 46 games. That’s a strong line for any rookie.
But for a rookie defenseman? That’s eye-opening.
Still, the stats only scratch the surface of what Schaefer has brought to this Islanders team.
Early in the season, the Isles did what most teams do with a young blueliner - they eased him in. Schaefer started in a more sheltered role, often paired with a veteran partner to help guide his NHL transition.
But it didn’t take long for the coaching staff to realize they had something special on their hands. Fast forward to a recent matchup against the Nashville Predators, and Schaefer logged over 28 minutes of ice time - 32 shifts in total.
That kind of workload isn’t handed out lightly, especially not to a teenager.
It’s not just about the minutes, either. It’s how he’s using them.
Schaefer plays with a poise and maturity well beyond his years. He’s making quick, smart decisions with the puck, jumping into the rush when the opportunity’s there, and defending with confidence against top-line competition.
This isn’t a kid who’s just surviving - he’s thriving.
Still, not everyone’s ready to crown him just yet. A recent ranking of the NHL’s top players under 23 slotted Schaefer at No. 4, labeling him a “bubble elite” player.
Ahead of him? Connor Bedard of the Chicago Blackhawks and Macklin Celebrini of the San Jose Sharks - both former No. 1 overall picks, both undeniably talented.
No argument there. Bedard and Celebrini are elite talents.
But here’s the thing: neither of them had this kind of immediate impact when they broke into the league. Bedard won the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year, sure, but his arrival didn’t exactly spark a turnaround in Chicago.
Celebrini? He didn’t even take home the Calder in his first season.
Meanwhile, Schaefer has been a driving force behind a resurgent Islanders squad. At 18 years old, he’s not just contributing - he’s leading. He’s been a difference-maker on both ends of the ice, and he’s doing it with a level of consistency that’s rare for a player his age.
That’s why the Calder Trophy conversation isn’t much of a conversation at all right now. Schaefer has put himself in the driver’s seat. And while it’s fair to acknowledge that he’s still early in his NHL journey - just 46 games in - the trajectory is impossible to ignore.
Now, let’s be clear: Schaefer isn’t Quinn Hughes or Cale Makar - not yet. But that doesn’t mean he isn’t elite in his own right.
What separates Schaefer is the combination of skill, smarts, and intangibles. His work ethic is relentless.
His composure? Off the charts for a teenager.
And his focus - both on and off the ice - is the kind of thing coaches dream about.
He’s not a finished product. No rookie is.
There are still areas of his game that need refinement. But the usual warning signs you might see with young defensemen - poor decision-making under pressure, inconsistent effort, defensive lapses - just aren’t there.
Schaefer looks like a player who’s built for the long haul.
So while some may still be waiting to see if this is just a hot start, the signs suggest otherwise. Schaefer’s not a flash in the pan.
He’s the real deal - a franchise cornerstone in the making. And if this is what he looks like at 18, the rest of the league better be paying attention.
Because Matthew Schaefer isn’t just part of the Islanders’ future. He’s already shaping their present.