Matthew Schaefer’s rise has reached territory that would have sounded ridiculous a year ago. An 18-year-old defenseman, and an Islanders defenseman at that, is now being mentioned among the league’s Hart Trophy candidates.
Daily Faceoff slotted Schaefer at No. 8 on its list of Hart Trophy contenders heading into the 2026-27 season, a sign of just how quickly his stock has climbed after one NHL campaign.
“The best Hart candidates check the “badly needed by his team” and “straight-up awesome player” boxes simultaneously," Matt Larkin says. "That feels like Schaefer.
Just 19 years old and one season into his career, he’s already the Isles’ most important player, fresh off tying the NHL rookie record for goals by a defenseman. He’ll play 25 minutes a night, he’ll likely accomplish several more things we’ve never seen from a teenaged blueliner and, if the Isles can bust out as a playoff team, he’ll be the No. 1 reason why."
That kind of company matters, too. Schaefer is listed alongside some of the game’s biggest names - Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews, Nathan MacKinnon and David Pastrnak - players who have lived near the top of these conversations for years.
If Schaefer somehow turns this into a Hart Trophy win, he would be the first defenseman to take home the award in 27 years, since Chris Pronger did it with the St. Louis Blues in 1999-00.
What makes the whole thing even more striking is what Schaefer already did in his rookie season. He finished with 59 points, including 23 goals and 36 assists, and there’s a case that it’s hard to top that kind of debut.
He turned 19 just a few days before the season began, and even with the unanimous Calder Trophy already in hand, there’s still room for his body to fill out. At 6-foot-2 and 186 pounds, he figures to add muscle, and his skating gives him the tools to match up with anybody.
The odds are still long, no question. But Schaefer got some Hart votes as a rookie on a non-playoff team, and if the Islanders put together the kind of season that gets them into the playoff mix, his name won’t just be a novelty in the discussion.
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Former Islanders First-Round Pick Nears A Career Turn He Never Wanted
Oliver Wahlstroms career has reached a familiar and uncomfortable crossroads for a former Islanders first-round pick who was once expected to become a long-term piece on Long Island. After the Islanders moved on from him, he was claimed off waivers by the Bruins and later spent time in the AHL, where he led the San Jose Barracuda in goals last season. Now, with an NHL spot still not materializing, his next move may be taking shape far from the league he first entered as a high pick.
For the Islanders, it is another reminder of how quickly once-promising draft capital can drift into uncertainty. Matt Maggio recently signed with Salavat Yulaev of the KHL after not receiving a qualifying offer from New York, and Wahlstrom appears to be on a similar path as reports link him to the same league. It is not the destination anyone in his camp would have preferred, but it is becoming harder to ignore as the market for NHL openings keeps shrinking. [Read more 🡒]
Islanders Just Gave Fans Two Big Reasons To Circle UBS Dates
The Islanders are already giving fans a reason to start eyeing the 2026-27 calendar, with the club rolling out a promotional schedule at UBS Arena built around theme nights, giveaways and the kind of small extras that help turn a random home date into a must-see outing. Military Appreciation Night, GOAT USA Night and other specialty events are part of the mix as the team looks to keep the building feeling busy and connected all season long.
Two of the bigger draw nights stand out immediately for fans planning ahead, with bobblehead giveaways on tap for Ilya Sorokin and Matthew Schaefer. There is also a Star Wars Day celebration set for March 7, marking the 50th anniversary of the franchise with a limited-edition bucket hat giveaway, giving Islanders supporters a few early markers to circle before the puck even drops on the season. [Read more 🡒]
Islanders Add Another Right Shot Defenseman As Hamilton Reset Continues
The Hamilton Hammers have added another right-shot defenseman to the mix, signing Chas Sharpe as the organization continues sorting through a reset that has already brought plenty of movement. Sharpe, 22, comes out of the Toronto Maple Leafs system after building a reputation as a defenseman who can tilt the ice the other way, with a track record of offense in both the OHL and ECHL.
For a team trying to reshape its blue line, Sharpe brings a different kind of look: a heavy, accurate slapshot and enough scoring touch to make him more than just a depth pickup. His arrival adds another layer to Hamiltons offseason planning, even if the broader picture of how he fits into the lineup is still taking shape. [Read more 🡒]