Through the first week of the NHL season, Matthew Schaefer has been one of the league's most compelling players. Despite being the first overall pick by the NY Islanders this summer, nobody could truly say that they expected these performances so quickly.
At the start of his draft year, Schaefer wasn't considered the top prospect. That honor belonged to Long Island native James Hagens, who was selected seventh overall by the Boston Bruins.
Schaefer is the shadow of past and future stars?
This year's draft crop wasn't considered among the best we've seen over the past few years in terms of depth or quality at the top of the draft compared to years past or drafts to come.