""I'm glad he's in the East," the coach said. "The kid is dynamic. Boy, can he skate. I've seen some young guys step into this league - there's a guy in Colorado who has that same kind of poise and ability to move. I saw some video, watching him on TV last year, but to see him live, man, oh, man, he can jump, he can skate. He has some tools, and like I said, I'm glad he's in the East.""
""That "guy in Colorado" is no mystery: Cale Makar, the Avalanche star and Norris Trophy winner known for his seamless transition game, high-end skating, and poise under pressure. To hear a rival coach liken Schaefer to Makar is not hyperbole - it's a statement of belief.""
""Schaefer, the Islanders' first-overall pick in 2025, has won fans and coaches over quickly. In just his first three games, he's turned heads with confidence, decision-making, and composure well beyond his years. His historic assist in his debut and then his goal a game later made him one of the youngest blueliners ever to score in the modern era. He picked up another point in Monday's loss.""
Matthew Schaefer drew immediate comparisons to Cale Makar for his poise, elite skating, and transition instincts. He is the New York Islanders' first-overall pick in 2025. Schaefer produced a historic assist in his NHL debut, scored a goal in his second game, and added another point in the Jets' 5-2 win, becoming one of the youngest modern-era blueliners to score. He has logged heavy minutes while demonstrating comfort skating at breakneck speed in chaotic situations, backpedaling and joining the offense under duress. His transitions show early-career Makar-esque qualities, though not identical.
Read at Eyes On Isles
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