Matthew Schaefer

18-Year-Old DefensemanD

New York Islanders

2024 Stats

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A

0

PP Pts

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+/-

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PIM

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2025 Projections

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A

PP Pts

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PIM

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2025 Fantasy Outlook

The Islanders traded Noah Dobson to Montreal, but on the same day, New York used the No. 1 overall pick on Schaefer, who they hope will become his replacement. The youngster is a fantastic skater who can intelligently utilize that strength to play a strong two-way game. The defenseman missed most of 2024-25 due to a combination of a broken collarbone and mononucleosis, but he impressed when healthy, recording seven goals and 22 points across 17 regular-season outings with OHL Erie. With Dobson gone, Schaefer might enter 2025-26 as part of the Islanders' top four and play regularly with the man advantage. A 40-plus point rookie campaign isn't out of the question, but there is an element of risk when it comes to counting on a teenage defenseman to jump seamlessly from the junior level to the NHL, especially after missing most of his draft year. Read Past Outlooks

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Overall

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Defenseman

Shoots Left

Height 6'2"

DOB 9/5/2007

Born Hamilton, Canada

Drafted 1st Rd, #1 Overall in 2025

NYI

First career three-point game

DNew York Islanders

March 1, 2026

Schaefer scored twice on five shots, added an assist, blocked four shots, went plus-4 and logged two PIM in Sunday's 5-4 win over the Panthers.

ANALYSIS
This was the first three-point game of Schaefer's career, and he also reached the 20-goal mark with the effort. Hitting 20 goals as a defenseman is already an impressive feat, and it's even more remarkable that he was able to do so as an 18-year-old rookie. He's now at 44 points, 146 shots, 84 blocks, 30 PIM and a plus-14 rating over 61 appearances. Schaefer's already a borderline No. 1 defenseman in standard fantasy formats, and he's only getting started.

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2024–25 Time On Ice Stats

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2025–26

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NYI

Pots two goals in Montreal

DNew York Islanders

February 27, 2026

Schaefer scored two goals, one on the power play, in Thursday's 4-3 overtime win over the Canadiens.

ANALYSIS
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NYI

One of each in overtime win

DNew York Islanders

February 3, 2026

Schaefer scored a goal on two shots, added an assist and blocked three shots in Tuesday's 5-4 overtime win over the Penguins.

ANALYSIS
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NYI

Scores goal No. 15

DNew York Islanders

February 1, 2026

Schaefer scored a goal on three shots in Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Predators.

ANALYSIS
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NYI

Nets game-winner Thursday

DNew York Islanders

January 30, 2026

Schaefer scored a goal on two shots in Thursday's 2-1 win over the Rangers.

ANALYSIS
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NYI

Two more helpers Monday

DNew York Islanders

January 20, 2026

Schaefer recorded two assists in Monday's 4-3 win over the Canucks.

ANALYSIS
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Latest Fantasy Rumors

NYI

Participating in morning skate

DNew York Islanders

January 6, 2026

Schaefer, who is a game-time call against the Devils on Tuesday due to an illness, was on the ice for an optional game-day skate, Stefen Rosner of NHL.com reports.

ANALYSIS
Schaefer seems to be trending in the right direction to play versus New Jersey, but he hasn't been officially given the green light yet. In his last three outings, the 18-year-old blueliner has racked up three goals and one assist, including a pair of power-play points. Schaefer is currently the favorite to take home the Calder Trophy as the league's top rookie, but he will need to continue producing at a top level to keep it that way.

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