It’s no secret that the New York Islanders’ resurgence this season is due in part to the emergence of a star rookie. When the Isles drafted Matthew Schaefer first-overall in the 2025 NHL Draft, everyone knew they got a special player.
But no one really knew how special Schaefer really was.
Now, there is little doubt that Schaefer is one of the NHL’s most exciting rising stars. And Islanders’ captain Anders Lee has made his thoughts crystal clear.
In an interview published in RG Media, Lee praised Schaefer, not only for his impact on the team, but for the person that he is, despite his young age.
“I think he’s a complete stud. What he’s doing in his first year is absolutely incredible. I don’t think anyone could have predicted this, and it’s just phenomenal to see.
Even though Schaefer is just 18, he’s playing like a 10-year league veteran. That’s something which has also come across in his personality.
“You topped it off with how good a kid he is. I think that makes it all the more special, and it’s just been fun to watch. It’s been fun to be his teammate and help him, help him through things. But he doesn’t need a lot of help. He’s killing it out there, and the sky’s the limit for this kid.”
Lee ventured to make this prediction about the Islanders’ rookie’s career:
“He’s gonna have a special career, and he’s started off with a bang, and it’s been fun to watch.”
Whatever Schaefer accomplishes, Islanders fans will have the joy of watching him tear it up for years to come.
Schaefer Lock for Calder Trophy
At this point in the season, there is virtually no doubt as to who will land the Calder Trophy. Schaefer’s rookie season has been nothing short of phenomenal. He’s notched 20 goals and 26 assists for 46 points in 64 games.
That’s nothing to sneeze at. The numbers are even more impressive with Schaefer not getting easy minutes. He has played an average of 18:29 5v5 this season, with about three power play minutes per game.
He’s also been a key part of the Islanders’ penalty kill unit, averaging over a minute of shorthanded time.
That’s why the Isles have such high hopes for Schaefer. It wasn’t that they didn’t. It’s just that no one really expected him to be this good, this soon.
Islanders Rookie on Track to Set Record
Schaefer is also on track to set a rookie record. The Islanders’ first-year star is three goals behind the record for most goals by a rookie defenseman in a single season. The record belongs to Brian Leetch, who scored 23 tallies for the New York Rangers back in the 1988-89 season.
At the moment, Schaefer sits third in the list. He’s tied with former NHLer Dion Phaneuf, who scored 20 in his rookie season in 2005-06. Meanwhile, second place belongs to Barry Beck, who scored 22 for the defunct Colorado Rockies during the 1977-78 season.
If the Islanders’ rookie can top Leetch’s record, it would make an already extraordinary season that much better.
Islanders Captain Praises Star Rookie’s Influence on Team