I know it sounds crazy to say this about a rookie, but Matthew Schaefer might legitimately already be a top-10 defenseman in the NHL.

Through just 12 games, he’s sitting at 5 goals, 5 assists, and 10 points, leading all NHL defensemen in goals and tied for the most points among rookies. He’s also the youngest defenseman in NHL history to record a multi-goal game, and his +5 net penalties ranks third-best in the entire league right now.

It’s not just the numbers either he’s playing with poise beyond his years. He’s controlling exits, jumping into the rush at the right moments, and doesn’t look overwhelmed defensively. Watching him, you’d think he’s already a 5-year vet.

Obviously, it’s still early and there’s a long season ahead, but at what point do we stop saying “hot start” and start saying “this guy is legit”?

Where would you rank him among NHL defensemen right now? Is it too early to talk top-10, or is Schaefer already there based on impact and underlying play?

16 comments

  1. I think there’s 10 better defensemen than him, but I certainly think he’s in the top 15-20 already.

  2. I think he’s the real deal and a generational talent. Maybe I’m using the wrong word for it but hear me out, he doesn’t have to score 50 goals a year or something like that to be what you could call a typical generational talent like Crosby or Ovechkin. Generational talents appear every 10 years and bring a dynamic with them that is game changing, there is nothing conventional about how Schaefer plays and it’s apparent as you watch him. It’s entirely possible that Schaefer will change how the defensive part of the game is played with consideration to how they contribute to the offensive capabilities of their team. He doesn’t need to win a Rocket Richard trophy in his career to do this, he needs only to play consistently and show that his style is unlike anything seen before and show its efficacy to the league. It’s entirely possible and I think he’s exactly what the Islanders needed, something new and unconventional that isn’t meant to be a familiar or textbook style of play. He will be a top ten, that’s a given.

  3. He’s something special that is for sure. Outside of the points, I am just incredibly impressed with his poise and how he impacts that game with the little things that he does every game. He seemingly always find a way to exit, maintain puck control, make a good pass, make a good defensive play, recover pucks, and allow the team to sustain offense. Its a huge deal.

  5. The only defenseman more talented than Schaefer is Makar. He might not be the 2nd best defenseman in the league yet… but he is top 2-3 most gifted

  6. I think the biggest impact he is making is the team believing in themselves. The defense seem like they are trying to be more involved on the offensive side.

  7. He’s already proven to be a legit #1 defensemen and is statistically already a top 10 player at the position in a few different categories. If he keeps playing at this level then it will become 2nd nature to think of him as a top 10 D.

  9. I think you have a good argument for top 10 offensive defensemen… and top 15-20 overall.

    He is arguably a top 20 game changer in the league now too, also crazy.

    Which for an 18 year old with a dozens games player is amazing.

  11. Whatever he is… I like it. He’s an exciting, driven, technical player who is lifting the levels of every person he plays with. Can’t ask for too much more from an 18 year old kid. On a personal note… my son, who has never really watched hockey with me, is now watching, because he is amazed by the way Schaefer plays.

  12. I think a bit early to tell. But I’m already so goddamn happy with how he’s been doing so far early season.

  13. He elevates the team. He is better than Dobson ever was and why it’s a blessing our new GM didn’t lock up Dobson at 10m or more AAV for the next 8 years.

    And it is an either/or. If we had kept Dobson, they would’ve felt obligated to play him PP1 to justify the ridiculous money he was getting.

    Schaefer in 11 games is everything we were hoping Dobson would become since the day he was drafted to the day we dealt him. He was not and never will be this good.

    Not tying up payroll in a guy who couldn’t make our PP click but was a supposed offensive elite genius on the ice is going to be a key part of our resurgence.

    And Heineman, Acheson and Eklund only make it sweeter.

    And no apolgies to the Dobson stans who are too wedded to their narrative that he was ever close to this good. He wasn’t. Ever. Even in his 70 point season where we stopped playing defense.

  16. He looks really good. It seems like the whole defense is playing better because of him. I think it’s too early to make assessments beyond “looks good so far” – we haven’t even had a west coast swing yet. We have the Devils, Vegas, Utah (who are playing well), Avs, Dallas, Detroit. If we come out of that and he still looks like a top 10 defenseman then I think we can talk.

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