After being taken first overall by the NY Islanders in the 2025 NHL Draft, a lot rests on the shoulders of Matthew Schaefer. Turning 18 years old less than three weeks ago, the young defenseman has shown maturity off the ice at an unprecedented level. But on the ice, playing in the NHL is a step up from anything he's seen before.
Making his preseason debut on Sunday, Schaefer showed moments where some rust had to be shaken off, but overall, his performance was wildly impressive. Scahefer didn't look out of place in the slightest, displaying his elite skating and willingness to get involved offensively immediately.