"While it would be fantastic to see Schaefer on Team Canada, even if he doesn't play a major role, the Islanders may want to think twice about letting Schaefer head to the Olympics in 2026. The main reason lies in giving Schaefer some time off to recover for what could be an Islanders' playoff run this season. Schaefer has played in all 26 games this season."
"And he's averaging over 25 minutes a night. On November 28 against the Philadelphia Flyers, Schaefer hit the ice for over 28 minutes. Sure, he's 18. I was 18 years old a very long time ago. And while such physical efforts were hard, bouncing back wasn't that difficult. Be that as it may, the Islanders would do well to encourage Schaefer to stay behind. The rest will be crucial for the remainder of the season."
"There's another compelling reason for the Islanders nudging Schaefer away from the Olympics: His age. Schaefer is 18 now and would be roughly 22 in 2030. So, he has the luxury of playing in two or even three more Olympic tourneys beyond 2026. Unlike players such as Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, and Auston Matthews, will be their first crack at the Olympics. They're pushing 30 and may see the roster sports challenged in the coming Olympic cycles. That's why Matthew Schaefer can afford to wait."
Matthew Schaefer, an 18-year-old New York Islanders rookie, has emerged as a late consideration for Team Canada's 2026 Olympic roster. The Islanders may prefer he skip the Olympics to rest and recover for a potential playoff run after he played all 26 games and averaged over 25 minutes per night. He logged more than 28 minutes in a November 28 game against the Philadelphia Flyers, reflecting a heavy workload for a teenager. Rest will be crucial for short-term recovery and long-term development. His age gives him the opportunity to target multiple future Olympics, reducing urgency for a 2026 appearance. The team already kept him out of the World Juniors to manage workload.
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