For much of Sunday night, 2025 first-overall pick Matthew Schaefer showed flashes of the talent that made him such a coveted prospect. But as with many 18-year-olds stepping into their first NHL action, his debut came with both high points and growing pains.
The home crowd greeted Schaefer with loud cheers from the moment he was announced as a starter, and they roared again when he recorded his first preseason assist on Kyle Palmieri’s goal. Schaefer’s best moment came in overtime, where he used his explosive skating to chase down Flyers forward Matvei Michkov and break up what looked like a sure breakaway.