"It was a foregone conclusion that Matthew Schaefer was going to earn a spot on the New York Islanders. The 2025 first-overall pick was arguably the best playmaker in this year's NHL Draft, and his preseason didn't disappoint. But Islanders fans need to understand that Schaefer probably won't be a an elite points producer in Year 1 of what will be a long, successful NHL career."
"NHL defensemen routinely take longer to develop, and if you want proof, look no further than the previous blueliner drafted No. 1 overall, Owen Power of the Buffalo Sabres. Like Schaefer, Power has the natural ability to put up elite play in all three zones, but his performance since he first took the ice in 2022 has been above average, at best."
"The Islanders weren't your typical bottom-of-the-barrel team picking No. 1 overall. They have goal-scoring talent in Mathew Barzal, Bo Horvat, and Jonathan Drouin, and they will help transform what has been an anemic scoring unit on Long Island. Toss in seasoned veterans like Anders Lee, Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Kyle Palmieri, and Casey Cizikas, up-and-comers like Simon Holmstrom, Emil Heineman, and the Isles have a forward group capable of putting up points."
Matthew Schaefer enters the NHL as the 2025 first-overall pick and a top playmaker, though immediate elite point production is unlikely. A rookie season closer to 45–50 points with a negative plus-minus and early defensive hiccups is plausible. NHL defensemen commonly require longer development timelines, illustrated by Owen Power's above-average performance since 2022 despite high potential. Schaefer should become the focal point of the Islanders' blue line and is expected to reach 70-plus points later in his career. The Islanders already possess scoring talent, veteran leadership, and promising forwards to support his growth.
Read at Eyes On Isles
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]