Los Angeles, Calif. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - With the first overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, the New York Islanders land their future franchise defenseman with the selection of Matthew Schaefer from the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League.
Despite missing the last half of his draft year with a broken collarbone suffered at the IIHF World Junior Championship with Team Canada, most pundits still consider Schaefer to be the best prospect available in the 2025 NHL Draft.
In his draft year, Schaefer still produced 22 points (7+15) in 17 games with the Otters, and was able to showcase enough that he was above the rest in this draft class.
The first attribute that stands out with Schaefer’s game is his skating and speed from the back end. He’s as smooth as it comes with his footwork, and can accelerate in a heartbeat, especially when he’s in pursuit of the puck or has the puck on his stick. With the puck on his stick, he uses his quick bursts to speed past the competition, while also skating with control.
Schaefer has a great sense for the game in both ends of the ice.
Offensively, he’s able to find the open lanes to the net for a shot, while keeping his head up and playing deceptively to find open teammates for scoring chances. He’s also very smart about jumping into the play when the time is right to do so, and has the ability to either hit the long lead passes or lead the transition game himself.
Defensively, he’s got an active stick that is more so in the right place at the right time, while he’s calm and cool defending right around his own net.
While Schaefer does not have a booming shot, it is quite effective, as he can pick his spots with the best of them from distance, or from close quarters after pinching into the zone.
Overall, Schaefer has a shot at making the jump from the OHL this past season and making an immediate impact in a lineup at the NHL level. Though another fully-healthy season playing at the junior level may do the defenseman some good in his development.
The Islanders land a dynamic two-way defenseman with the potential of becoming one of the premier blue liners in the NHL.