Jon Cooper has plenty to oversee while running his own bench. But the Lightning coach acknowledged he’d take some extra time to watch Matthew Schaefer in his first opportunities to see the No. 1 overall pick play live in the NHL.
There’s even still the chance – if slim – that Cooper will get to coach Schaefer for Team Canada in February’s Winter Olympics.
“I saw Schaefer play in Edmonton at an under-17 deal when he was playing against his own age group and he was really, really good,” Cooper said. “But you want to see how he’s going to play against men so you get to see him up close and personal.”
The Islanders, with Schaefer logging 21:21 with two blocked shots, beat the Lightning 2-1 on Tuesday night at UBS Arena in the first of three games between the teams in 12 days. The Islanders conclude a seven-game homestand (2-3-1) against the Avalanche on Thursday night before playing in Tampa Bay on Saturday night.
“On a fan side of things, it’s cool to see these young guys develop,” said Cooper, who graduated from Hofstra in 1989 after playing lacrosse for four seasons. “Whether it’s Schaefer or we haven’t seen [the Sharks’ Macklin] Celebrini yet this year or [Chicago’s] Connor Bedard, the youth of the game, it’s fun to watch. I’ll be watching out of the corner of my eye a little more than I would other games.”
The 18-year-old Schaefer has eight goals and 11 assists in 27 games and is tied for second among all rookie scorers. He quickly ascended to the Islanders’ top defense pair and is quarterbacking their first power play unit.
So far, the rigors of the NHL have not worn him down.
“You learn a lot,” Schaefer said. “You learn how to take care of your body. You learn a day-to-day routine. You learn from all the older guys.”
Living with former Islander Matt Martin, now the special assistant to general manager Mathieu Darche, has been its own learning experience.
“He has a lot of things that I use at home to help me,” Schaefer said. “Game readies that help ice your wounds. I always ask him and talk to him about what he used to do. The biggest thing is rest and making sure you get your sleep.”
Schaefer was included on Hockey Canada’s list of potential players required to go through the International Olympic Committee’s drug testing protocol. But Cooper said it’s fair to question the readiness of the NHL’s younger talent for the highest level of international competition, especially if they haven’t participated in an NHL postseason yet.
Cooper also coached Team Canada in the inaugural Four Nations Face-Off in February, with that tournament’s uber-competitive play exceeding all expectations for speed and intensity.
“Use the Four Nations as a gauge,” Cooper said. “What you do at the NHL level doesn’t necessarily translate to what happens at that level. I never thought I’d be watching hockey that happens faster than an NHL game and that was exponentially faster. So you’ve got to know can players take that next step.”
But Cooper clarified he does not select the players for Team Canada, he’ll just coach them.
Ledecky to be honored: Concern Worldwide US will present Islanders co-owner Jon Ledecky with the Tom Moran Seeds of Hope Humanitarian Award at the Unite To Fight Hunger: New York Gala in lower Manhattan on Friday night for his work through the Islanders’ Children’s Foundation.
Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.