The New York Islanders may have suffered a disheartening and disappointing 7-2 loss to the Utah Mammoth to start 2026, but Matthew Schaefer rang in the New Year by quite literally cashing in.
With his power-play goal on Jan. 1, the 18-year-old Islanders defenseman officially triggered the first performance bonus of his NHL career, earning a $250,000 incentive for reaching the 10-goal mark. It was a milestone few defensemen ever sniff, let alone one who is still a teenager and only months removed from being drafted.
Schaefer's 10th of the season!