Islanders' Schaefer Off to Magnificent Start in First Year

It is not easy being a number one overall pick in the NHL.

Before you even step on the ice, high expectations are placed on your shoulders. You are expected to be one of the team's top players, be the key to turning the franchise's fortunes around, and do everything you can to live up to the hype.

It is safe to say that all of this was put on the NHL's number one overall pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, Matthew Schaefer, who was drafted by the New York Islanders. While the Islanders have not exactly been terrible over the last several seasons, they have not been a team that is terribly exciting to watch nor have they been known to have a lot of exciting young players.

Through his team's first six games, it appears that Schaefer, 18, is doing everything he can to change that narrative. As of this writing (Thursday, October 23), he is tied for the team lead in scoring with seven points on two goals and five assists, with one of those goals being the game-winning goal in his club's 4-3 win over the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday night, October 21, at UBS Arena.

Since stepping onto the NHL ice, Schaefer has shown that he belongs in the world's best hockey league several ways. For starters, he can skate with the best of them.

Schaefer is a player who uses his speed to both create offense and then to get back and breakup plays in his own end. After beating the Islanders by a score of 5-2 back on Monday, October 13, Winnipeg Jets head coach Scott Arniel praised Schaefer for his fine play in a losing effort while also comparing him to Norris Trophy-winning defenseman Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche.

"I just made the comment to management that I'm glad he's in the East," Arniel said. "The kid is dynamic. Boy, can he skate. I've seen some young guys step into this league. There's a guy in Colorado who kind of has that same kind of poise and ability to move. He is dynamic. I saw a video and watched him on TV last year. But to see him live, man, man oh man, he can jump. He can skate, and he has some tools. I'm glad he's in the East."

Like Makar, Schaefer has already shown that he can produce using his skating, his high hockey IQ, and his offensive instincts. In his team's win over the Sharks on Tuesday night, he tied an NHL rookie record for the longest point streak to begin a career by picking up a point in his sixth straight game.

Offensively, Schaefer is someone who knows how to rush the puck up the ice, dish the puck off to his teammates, and go to the net whether it is to put himself in position for a shot or a rebound a chance. Going hard to the net is exactly how he scored his first career NHL goal in a 4-2 loss to the Washington Capitals.

Schaefer has also shown that he can be reliable on the back end. He breaks up plays, he hustles back from the offensive zone, and he makes sure not to get caught out of position.

After his team's win over the Sharks, Islanders head coach Patrick Roy told reporters that Schaefer did what he had to do at both ends of the ice to be successful.

“I thought he was really good in both ends,” Roy said. “Getting pucks out of the zone, competing in front of our net, joining the rush, moving up, getting in the o-zone.”

Lastly, Schaefer is making Islanders' management look good by showing that they were right to start him in the NHL rather than send him down. Team captain Anders Lee told reporters after his team's win over the Sharks on Tuesday night that he more than belongs in the NHL.

“Look at what he’s doing to start his career off, first six games in the NHL,” Islanders captain Anders Lee said. “We have the [sports] channels on in the room, and we see what’s on the bottom ticker. It’s pretty incredible. But it feels like in the room, that’s just who he is. He’s had his game from the get-go. The last month-and-a-half, it’s surprising, but it’s not. I get to play with him every day at practice and see him in the games. He’s just a hell of a hockey player and is making a big difference on this team and in our back end.”

It may be a small sample size, but it is clear that Schaefer has the potential to be a superstar defenseman in this league. It is up to him to continue working hard, being smart in both ends of the ice, and playing the game the way he knows how to play, which is like a seasoned veteran and future All-Star defenseman.