"Since he came in, it kind of reminds me of Lane Hutson - the way he's providing offense from the back end. He's really a driving force. The Islanders have been so boring and painful to watch the last few years, and now they look completely different with him lugging the mail from the defensive zone to the offensive zone."
"He commands respect from the blue line. He ignites the offense with that first pass."
"Talented, poised... franchise-changing type player?"
Matthew Schaefer, an 18-year-old rookie defenseman for the New York Islanders, has delivered historic production and immediate impact. Through his first 30 games, only Phil Housley had more points as an 18-year-old defenseman in NHL history, placing Schaefer ahead of Hall of Famers like Ray Bourque. Schaefer leads rookies in ice time, ranks among rookie goal leaders, and serves as the Islanders' primary driver from the back end. He commands respect at the blue line, ignites offense with precise first passes, and has enabled a faster, more aggressive style under Patrick Roy.
Read at Eyes On Isles
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