Matthew Schaefer

18-Year-Old DefensemanD
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
$Signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Islanders in August of 2025.
Two more helpers Monday
DNew York Islanders
January 20, 2026
Schaefer recorded two assists in Monday's 4-3 win over the Canucks.
ANALYSIS
Schaefer has posted two assists in back-to-back games, and the 18-year-old continues to make a strong candidacy to win the Calder Trophy. He's cracked the scoresheet in six of his nine outings since the beginning of January, tallying nine points, a plus-1 rating, 16 shots, four hits and nine blocked shots. The 18-year-old blueliner ranks third in points among rookies with 34, trailing only Ivan Demidov and Beckett Sennecke.
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2025
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2024–25 Time On Ice Stats
 
Ice Time
Power Play
Short-Handed
2025–26
24:03
3:18
1:16
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Two helpers in Saturday's loss
DNew York Islanders
January 18, 2026
Schaefer pocketed two assists in Saturday's 4-2 loss to the Flames.
ANALYSIS
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Scores late goal in loss
DNew York Islanders
January 13, 2026
Schaefer scored a goal in Tuesday's 5-4 loss to the Jets.
ANALYSIS
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Cleared to play
DNew York Islanders
January 6, 2026
Schaefer (illness) will be in the lineup versus the Devils on Tuesday, Stefen Rosner of NHL.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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Game-time call Tuesday
DNew York Islanders
Illness
January 5, 2026
Schaefer (illness) will be a game-time decision against New Jersey on Tuesday, Stefen Rosner of NHL.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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Dealing with illness
DNew York Islanders
Illness
January 5, 2026
Schaefer will not practice Monday due to an illness.
ANALYSIS
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
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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