Entering his first NHL training camp 13 days after his 18th birthday, Matthew Schaefer has all eyes on him as the 2025 NHL Draft's first overall pick and the future of the NY Islanders.
The pressure doesn't appear to affect the wise-beyond-his-years teenager. Still, Head Coach Patrick Roy paired Schaefer with Scott Mayfield, the Isles' longest tenured defenseman, on the first day of training camp, as it could be a duo we see on opening night against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Schaefer playing with Mafield
"It was nice for him to be with Maysey (Mayfield)," Roy said.