Matthew Schaefer
17-Year-Old
2024 Stats
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2025 Projections
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.
Inks ELC
Schaefer signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Islanders on Monday.
ANALYSIS
Schaefer, the No. 1 overall selection in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, will now have every opportunity to make the Islanders' Opening Night roster out of training camp. If he does, the smooth-skating, puck-moving defenseman could compete with Tony DeAngelo for the quarterback spot on the top power-play unit, but Schaefer will likely receive time with one of the combinations nonetheless. Schaefer's 2024-25 campaign was cut short due to mononucleosis and a collarbone injury, but he still recorded seven goals, 15 helpers and a plus-21 rating across 17 regular-season games with OHL Erie.
Schaefer, the No. 1 overall selection in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, will now have every opportunity to make the Islanders' Opening Night roster out of training camp. If he does, the smooth-skating, puck-moving defenseman could compete with Tony DeAngelo for the quarterback spot on the top power-play unit, but Schaefer will likely receive time with one of the combinations nonetheless. Schaefer's 2024-25 campaign was cut short due to mononucleosis and a collarbone injury, but he still recorded seven goals, 15 helpers and a plus-21 rating across 17 regular-season games with OHL Erie.
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More Fantasy News
First pick overall at draft
Schaefer was the first overall pick by the Islanders in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft on Friday.
ANALYSIS
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Top-rated skater
Schaefer is the top-rated North American skater by NHL Central Scouting ahead of the 2025 NHL Draft, Chris Johnston of The Athletic reports Tuesday.
ANALYSIS
Schaefer was limited to just 17 games with OHL Erie this season but made every game count, racking up 22 points, including seven goals. The 17-year-old should be a first-round lock heading into the 2025 NHL Draft and could even be in the mix for the No. 1 overall pick. Still, fantasy players may want to temper expectations, as Schaefer will likely need a couple of years in the OHL to further develop, in addition to maturing even further in the minors.
Schaefer was limited to just 17 games with OHL Erie this season but made every game count, racking up 22 points, including seven goals. The 17-year-old should be a first-round lock heading into the 2025 NHL Draft and could even be in the mix for the No. 1 overall pick. Still, fantasy players may want to temper expectations, as Schaefer will likely need a couple of years in the OHL to further develop, in addition to maturing even further in the minors.