"The Islanders may not be good, or even interesting, this season, but with 80 games left, there already are the makings of at least one intriguing, ongoing storyline. It is a chemistry experiment in which the reagent is an 18-year-old defenseman who has changed the equation in Elmont in a big way. How the Islanders navigate it could help shape not only this season but the next 10."
"The Matthew Schaefer hype had been a constant since the Islanders won the NHL Draft lottery in early May, but on Saturday night, things got more intense than ever. That was when the young defenseman went from a potential star to an actual one, marking his regular-season home debut by being what his coach, his teammates and everyone else who watched the game recognized as the best player on the ice."
An 18-year-old defenseman, Matthew Schaefer, has quickly become a central figure for the Islanders after a standout regular-season home debut that included his first NHL goal. The goal came 4:28 into the third period of a 4-2 loss to the Capitals, and fans at UBS Arena celebrated enthusiastically. Schaefer's personality, personal story and skills have drawn intense attention from teammates, media and fans, often overshadowing more experienced players. Coach Patrick Roy dismissed concerns about jealousy, praising veteran players for supporting Schaefer. The team's handling of Schaefer's rapid rise could influence roster chemistry and organizational direction for years.
Read at Newsday
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