Matthew Schaefer’s rookie year has already pushed him into rare company, and now the New York Islanders defenseman is showing up in another big conversation: an early NHL.com projection for the 2027 NHL All-Star Game.
In the outlet’s first look at potential rosters for the international-style event, Schaefer was listed among the nine skaters projected to make Team Canada for the tournament set for Feb. 5-6 at UBS Arena. If that prediction holds, it would be his first time representing Canada as an NHL player - and it would happen in front of Islanders fans on home ice.
The NHL announced earlier this month that the 2027 All-Star Game will use a five-team format, with Canada, the United States, Finland, Sweden and a World team all taking part. Each roster will include nine skaters and two goaltenders, and fans will pick most of the teams through voting later this season.
NHL.com’s projected Canadian group is loaded with star power and youth, with Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, Sidney Crosby, Cale Makar, Connor Bedard, Macklin Celebrini, Mitch Marner and Brandon Hagel joining Schaefer.
The publication said Schaefer’s spot wasn’t simply a nod to the game being held at UBS Arena. Its panel viewed him as one of Canada’s top players heading into the season and as one of the league’s next big faces.
That kind of recognition makes sense after the historic rookie campaign he just put together. Another big season would only strengthen that case, and the fact that the game is on Long Island certainly doesn’t hurt.
The projections can still change before fan voting opens in December, but the early buzz says plenty about how fast Schaefer has climbed. If he ends up on that roster, Islanders fans would get a chance to see one of their franchise cornerstones on a major stage, wearing Canada’s colors in the building he now calls home.
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