"I said over/under 10. By the time names were thrown around, the list barely reached seven-and even that felt generous. At the very top, of course, was Connor McDavid, the only truly unquestioned yes. Of course I would, said Hayes, even acknowledging the absurdity of trading an 18-year-old with limitless upside."
"Established superstars like Nathan MacKinnon and Leon Draisaitl made the cut-but with hesitation. Age matters. Schaefer is 18. Those players are nearing or at 30. The conversation shifted and evolved from who's better now? to who gives you the next decade?"
"When Macklin Celebrini entered the discussion, it wasn't even clear there was a right answer. You could argue he's number one trade value, Hayes said. If Celebrini is untouchable, then Schaefer-just one year behind-can't be far off."
Sports analysts debated how many current NHL players the New York Islanders would trade Matthew Schaefer for, revealing his exceptional value despite being only 18 years old. The discussion began with an over/under of 10 players but the actual list barely reached seven names. Connor McDavid was the only clear yes, while established superstars like Nathan MacKinnon and Leon Draisaitl made the list with hesitation. The evaluation shifted from immediate performance to long-term potential, considering Schaefer's youth and decade-long upside. Young elite prospects like Macklin Celebrini were deemed potentially untouchable, placing Schaefer in rare company among the league's most valuable assets.
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