Nashville Predators forward Reid Schaefer (49) collides with Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog (92) on December 9, 2025 at Bridgestone Arena. JOHN RUSSELL/NASHVILLE PREDATORS
Reid Schaefer’s Thanksgiving plans took an unexpected turn last month.
The Nashville Predators recalled the 22-year-old rookie forward from the minors just in time for him to join the team’s holiday dinner. He was seated next to Hal Gill and Steven Stamkos, listening to war stories from their collective three-plus decades of pro hockey.
“That was pretty cool,” Schaefer said. “It was a welcome-to-the-NHL moment.”
Two weeks into his own NHL career, Schaefer looks the part while he’s learning the ropes.
He has two goals, a minus-2 rating, eight shots, 10 blocked shots and 16 hits through seven games. The 6-foot-5, 226-pound left wing provided a highlight Tuesday against the Colorado Avalanche when he pushed star defenseman Cale Makar off the puck in the corner, took possession and scored by dangling around goaltender Scott Wedgewood.
“It epitomizes what he’s shown … winning a battle and taking the puck to the net,” Predators coach Andrew Brunette said. “He’s been around the net a lot. He’s got good hands, and he can really skate. So I think we’re trying to get a really good look at him.”
Brunette thinks Schaefer can eventually help the Predators on the penalty kill with his size and physicality. In the meantime, they’re sheltering him on the fourth line with about nine minutes of ice time per night.
He played 8:58 against first-place Colorado and committed his fourth giveaway in three games.
“That was a fast, fast hockey game, and he handled himself well,” Brunette said. “But I’m sure in his mind, he’s got to make sure he takes care of the puck a little bit better.”
Schaefer played more in Thursday’s 7-2 rout of the St. Louis Blues, logging five hits, three blocked shots and one takeaway in 13:28. He isn’t trying to be flashy.
“I’m feeling more comfortable with each game I play, which is nice,” he said. “For me now, it’s (about) playing responsibly and gaining the trust of the coaches to get more minutes.
“I have skill – I don’t think you guys have seen it quite yet. I’ve been playing pretty simple and direct. Once I (establish myself), I think my skill can come.”
The Edmonton Oilers selected Schaefer with the No. 32 overall pick in the 2022 draft. Eight months later, he was traded to Nashville alongside Tyson Barrie, a 2023 first-rounder and a 2024 fourth-rounder in exchange for Mattias Ekholm and a 2024 sixth-rounder.
Schaefer, an Edmonton native, was surprised but figured he may have a quicker path to the NHL with the rebuilding Predators than with the win-now Oilers. It’s worked out that way.
He collected 14 points (four goals, 10 assists) in 15 games with the Milwaukee Admirals before his promotion on Nov. 28.
“When you looked at (the situation) three years ago, you saw a lot more opportunity here in Nashville,” he said. “That was something to get excited about. Now that I’m here, it’s pretty cool and I just want to keep going with it.”
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