Matthew Schaefer, D, New York Islanders: It seems Schaefer, the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, is establishing some sort of NHL or Islanders rookie record each game this season. The 18-year-old had eight assists in 18 games through Sunday to tie Gerald Diduck (eight assists in 65 games) for second most by a teenage defenseman in Islanders history. He trails Bryan Berard (32 assists in 64 games).
Schaefer became the youngest player in NHL history to score an overtime goal (18 years, 70 days), completing a 3-2 win at the Utah Mammoth at 2:06 of OT on Friday to top Sidney Crosby‘s record (18 years, 101 days on Nov. 16, 2005). He was first among all NHL rookies through Sunday with seven goals, 15 points, four power-play goals and average ice time (22:37). He has drawn 11 penalties, which is tied for the League lead at his position with Nikita Zadorov of the Boston Bruins. He became the first Islanders teenager to reach 27 minutes of ice time in a single game (27:40 against the Philadelphia Flyers on Oct. 25) since that statistic was first tracked in 1997-98.
Schaefer scored three of his seven goals this season from the long-range zone. The only players this season with as many from that area are Sean Walker (four), John Carlson (three), Josh Morrissey (three) and Brandon Montour (three), according to NHL EDGE.
The poise and professionalism Schaefer has exhibited has been nothing short of remarkable.
“I think every game you learn more, you get more comfortable, more confident,” Schaefer said. “I mean, there’s going to be games where it’s not the same. You don’t feel your best, there’s bumps. There’s lots of challenges but there’s always going to be adversity. You got to learn from it, learn from your mistakes and just keep rolling and moving forward.”
Schaefer began the season paired with Scott Mayfield but has since been promoted to the top pair with Ryan Pulock. He averaged 24:23 in four consecutive road victories entering Sunday. The Islanders controlled 50.9 percent of all shots attempted and owned a 55.5 percent on-ice goals-for percentage with Schaefer on the ice at 5-on-5.