Matthew Schaefer Headlines Islanders’ Calder Trophy Contender

The New York Islanders struck gold with the first overall selection in the 2025 NHL Draft. Matthew Schaefer has burst onto the NHL scene with a rookie campaign that’s rewriting the record books and placing him firmly at the forefront of the Calder Trophy conversation. At just 18 years old, the defenseman is doing things that players twice his age struggle to accomplish, combining elite skating ability with offensive instincts that have caught the entire league’s attention.

Matthew Schaefer’s historic rookie season start with the Islanders

The numbers surrounding Schaefer’s opening stretch tell a story of unprecedented production. With seven points in his first seven games—a point-per-game pace that would be impressive for a veteran, let alone a teenager—he’s joined an extraordinarily exclusive club. According to QuantHockey, only nine September-born 18-year-olds in NHL history have recorded at least five points, and Schaefer is already on that list with room to grow.

His accomplishments go beyond simple point totals. Schaefer became the youngest defenseman ever selected first overall to make his NHL debut, and he’s wasted no time making that selection look prescient. He registered points in each of his first six games, joining Wayne Gretzky, Alexandre Daigle, and Sidney Crosby as the only 18-year-olds to achieve that feat. That’s not just good company—it’s Mount Rushmore-level company.

The ice time he’s receiving speaks volumes about the coaching staff’s confidence in him. After playing 17:15 in his debut against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Schaefer logged over 26 minutes in both his second and third career games. Since time on ice began being officially tracked in 1997-98, he’s only the third rookie to record a point, at least four shots on goal, and play 26-plus minutes in consecutive games, alongside Moritz Seider and Alex Ovechkin. He accomplished this in just his second and third NHL appearances.

Against the San Jose Sharks, Schaefer etched his name even deeper into the history books by becoming the youngest defenseman in NHL history to score a game-winning goal at 18 years and 46 days old. Both of his first two career goals have come from high-danger areas, showcasing an offensive awareness that typically takes years to develop. He’s one of only two defensemen with multiple high-danger goals this season, the other being Jakob Chychrun.

The offensive production has been so consistent that through the season’s first weeks, Schaefer has registered points on more than half of the Islanders’ goals. He’s been on the ice for 11 of New York’s 20 goals, tied with forward Bo Horvat for the team lead. This level of impact is virtually unheard of for an 18-year-old defenseman, particularly one stepping directly from junior hockey to the NHL’s top level.

Can Matthew Schaefer sustain this Calder Trophy-worthy pace for the Islanders

Beyond the raw point totals, Schaefer’s underlying metrics paint the picture of a player who dominates in virtually every facet of the game. His skating ability stands out as perhaps his most devastating weapon. According to NHL EDGE data, Schaefer leads all defensemen with 30 speed bursts of 20-plus miles per hour, ahead of superstars Cale Makar (21) and Quinn Hughes (20).

He reached his maximum skating speed of the season at 22.70 mph, the 10th-highest mark among all NHL defensemen. Only Pittsburgh’s Erik Karlsson has more 22-plus mph speed bursts among defensemen. This elite-level speed allows Schaefer to do things other players simply can’t—he can recover from mistakes, transition the puck up ice at frightening velocity, and join rushes with confidence that he can get back defensively if needed.

The workload Schaefer has shouldered would be demanding for a veteran, let alone a teenager. He leads all NHL rookies in average ice time at 22:07 per game, which also tops the Islanders’ roster. He’s reached the three-mile mark in skating distance in four of his six games, demonstrating remarkable stamina and conditioning. His 4.01 miles skated against the Washington Capitals ranks in the 95th percentile among defensemen in a single game this season.

Schaefer ranks in the top 10 among defensemen in both shot attempts (47, eighth overall) and shots on goal (19, tied for fifth). His offensive zone time percentage at all strengths sits at 45.9 percent, placing him in the 90th percentile among NHL defensemen. These aren’t cherry-picked stats—they represent a player who tilts the ice in his team’s favor every time he steps over the boards.

What separates legitimate Calder Trophy contenders from mere promising rookies is two-way excellence, and Schaefer delivers on both ends. He ranks second among Islanders defenders in expected goals against per 60 minutes at 5-on-5, demonstrating defensive responsibility that typically takes years to develop. The Islanders have generated 103 shot attempts and scored eight even-strength goals with Schaefer on the ice, both team-leading marks.

His ability to quarterback the power play has been another revelation. He ranks heavily in shots on goal across all locations—97th percentile in high-danger shots (three), 95th percentile in midrange shots (five), and 88th percentile in long-range shots (eight). This distribution shows a player who isn’t one-dimensional, but rather someone who can create offense from anywhere on the ice.

The broader impact of Matthew Schaefer’s Islanders rookie season

Schaefer’s emergence transforms the Islanders’ trajectory both immediately and long-term. A franchise that saw its prospect pool ranked dead last in the NHL just two years ago now boasts a top-10 system, with Schaefer leading the charge. The organization also has another Calder Trophy candidate in Maxim Shabanov, plus two picks in this year’s deep draft class, signaling a bright future ahead.

The on-ice impact extends beyond Schaefer’s individual contributions. His ability to move the puck efficiently helps the Islanders exit the defensive zone and enter the offensive zone cleanly—a “flow” that reduces the chaos veteran teams typically impose on young rosters. New York won three straight games after an 0-3-0 start, with Schaefer’s growing confidence and expanded role playing a central part in the turnaround.

According to The Hockey Writers, veteran forward Bo Horvat may lead the team in points, but Schaefer is already the Islanders’ MVP. That’s not hyperbole—it’s a reflection of how thoroughly he’s taken over games at both ends of the ice. His skating, vision, and two-way awareness have made him indispensable despite being able to vote for only a few months.

The personal adversity Schaefer has overcome adds another layer to his story. Having lost his mother to breast cancer and experiencing additional family tragedy, his maturity on and off the ice reflects someone who’s been forced to grow up faster than most teenagers. That maturity manifests in poised decision-making under pressure and a work ethic that’s impressed coaches and teammates alike.

From a developmental standpoint, the Islanders face a luxury problem. Schaefer is on an entry-level contract that allows him to play up to nine games without burning the first year of the deal if returned to juniors. However, at this point, sending him back would be organizational malpractice. He’s not just NHL-ready—he’s already one of the team’s best players and most important pieces moving forward.

The franchise now has the cornerstone defenseman that NHL teams covet above almost any other asset. Getting him signed to a long-term extension after his entry-level deal expires will be a priority, as players of his caliber rarely hit free agency. While his frame still needs to fill out—he’s listed at 186 pounds—his skill set and hockey IQ are already elite-level.

What the Islanders do with this opportunity will define their next decade. Surrounding Schaefer with complementary talent, building through the draft, and potentially adding pieces through trades could accelerate their return to contention. Even if this season ends without a playoff berth, the foundation Schaefer provides makes the future considerably brighter than it appeared just months ago.

For the NHL as a whole, Schaefer represents the latest in a lineage of young defensemen who’ve changed the game. Players like Cale Makar, Quinn Hughes, and Adam Fox redefined what’s possible from the blue line in the modern era. Schaefer has the tools to join that pantheon if his development continues on its current trajectory. His combination of skating, offensive instincts, and defensive responsibility is rare at any age, let alone 18.

The Calder Trophy race remains fluid with months of hockey still to play, but Schaefer has established himself as the clear frontrunner. Barring injury or an unexpected collapse in production, he’s positioned to become the first defenseman to win the award in consecutive years since the expansion era began. More importantly, he’s giving Islanders fans something they haven’t had in years—a reason to believe the franchise’s best days lie ahead rather than in the rearview mirror.