Reid Schaefer’s Thanksgiving took a sharp left turn-and it might just be the moment his NHL journey truly began.
The 22-year-old winger was called up by the Nashville Predators just in time to trade turkey with veterans like Hal Gill and Steven Stamkos. For a rookie still finding his footing, sitting next to two players with over 30 years of combined NHL experience wasn’t just dinner-it was a crash course in what it means to be a pro.
“That was pretty cool,” Schaefer said. “It was a welcome-to-the-NHL moment.”
Now, two weeks into his first NHL stint, Schaefer is doing more than soaking it all in-he’s starting to make his presence felt. Through seven games, he’s recorded two goals, eight shots, 10 blocked shots, and 16 hits. His plus-minus sits at minus-2, but that number doesn’t tell the whole story of a player who's still learning the speed and structure of the league.
Schaefer’s most eye-catching moment came against the Colorado Avalanche. Matched up against none other than Cale Makar-one of the league’s elite defensemen-Schaefer muscled Makar off the puck in the corner, took control, and finished with a slick move around goaltender Scott Wedgewood. It was a sequence that flashed the full package: size, strength, hands, and confidence.
“That play epitomizes what he’s shown so far-winning a battle and taking the puck to the net,” Predators coach Andrew Brunette said. “He’s been around the net a lot.
He’s got good hands, and he can really skate. So I think we’re trying to get a really good look at him.”
At 6-foot-5 and 226 pounds, Schaefer brings a physical edge that’s hard to ignore. Brunette sees potential for him to eventually carve out a role on the penalty kill, using that size and grit to disrupt opposing power plays. But for now, Nashville is easing him in, rolling him on the fourth line with limited minutes-around nine per game.
Against Colorado, he logged 8:58 of ice time and committed his fourth giveaway in three games. It was a fast-paced, high-stakes matchup, and while Schaefer held his own, Brunette acknowledged there’s still work to be done.
“That was a fast, fast hockey game, and he handled himself well,” Brunette said. “But I’m sure in his mind, he’s got to make sure he takes care of the puck a little bit better.”
Just two nights later, Schaefer saw his workload increase in a 7-2 blowout win over the St. Louis Blues. He played 13:28, racking up five hits, three blocked shots, and a takeaway-exactly the kind of gritty, blue-collar effort that earns trust from coaches.
“I’m feeling more comfortable with each game I play, which is nice,” Schaefer said. “For me now, it’s about playing responsibly and gaining the trust of the coaches to get more minutes.
“I have skill-I don’t think you guys have seen it quite yet. I’ve been playing pretty simple and direct. Once I establish myself, I think my skill can come.”
There’s no doubt the upside is there. Schaefer was a first-round pick-No. 32 overall in 2022 by the Edmonton Oilers.
But just eight months after being drafted, he was shipped to Nashville in a deal that sent Mattias Ekholm to Edmonton. Along with Schaefer, the Predators picked up Tyson Barrie, a 2023 first-rounder, and a 2024 fourth-rounder.
It was a classic rebuilding move: the Oilers went all-in, and Nashville added pieces for the future.
For Schaefer, the trade was a surprise-but also an opportunity.
“When you looked at the situation three years ago, you saw a lot more opportunity here in Nashville,” he said. “That was something to get excited about. Now that I’m here, it’s pretty cool and I just want to keep going with it.”
Before his call-up, Schaefer was producing at a strong clip in the AHL with the Milwaukee Admirals-14 points in 15 games. That production, combined with his physical tools and willingness to do the dirty work, made him a natural candidate for a look at the NHL level.
So far, he’s showing flashes of what he can become. There are still rookie mistakes-turnovers, inconsistent shifts-but the foundation is solid.
Schaefer’s not trying to do too much, and he’s not chasing highlight reels. He’s playing within himself, throwing his weight around, and doing the little things that coaches notice.
And if his confidence keeps building, don’t be surprised if the skill he keeps hinting at starts to shine through.
For now, Reid Schaefer is just getting started-but he’s already making it clear: he belongs in the conversation.