{"id":558322,"date":"2026-04-23T00:15:14","date_gmt":"2026-04-23T00:15:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/558322\/"},"modified":"2026-04-23T00:15:14","modified_gmt":"2026-04-23T00:15:14","slug":"islanders-schaefer-gets-unanimous-pick-in-recent-poll","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/558322\/","title":{"rendered":"Islanders Schaefer gets unanimous pick in recent poll"},"content":{"rendered":"

Matthew Schaefer\u2019s rookie season was one for the ages<\/a>. He easily had the best first-year performance for any New York Islanders blueliner. He also showed that he could compete with the best of them, especially in an unsheltered role during the second half of the season.<\/p>\n

Schaefer eventually tied Brian Leetch for most goals by a rookie blueliner with 23. While it was too bad that he couldn\u2019t break the mark, it was still highly impressive.<\/p>\n

That situation, along with Schaefer\u2019s overall impact on the Islanders and the NHL this season, led the staff at The Athletic to pick him as the unanimous winner of the 2026 Calder Trophy.<\/a> Every one of the 30 staff members who voted in the poll picked Schaefer to take home the Calder as Rookie of the Year.<\/p>\n

When looking at the on-ice product, it\u2019s easy to see why. Schaefer went from needing a babysitter at the beginning of the season to playing in pretty much every situation.<\/p>\n

That reality prompted Shayna Goldman to declare Schaefer as a worthy candidate for the Islanders\u2019 MVP this year.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe set the bar astronomically high this year. You could really flip a coin between Matthew Schaefer and Sorokin as the Isles\u2019 MVPs this year.\u201d<\/p>\n

Indeed, Schaefer set the bar high. In fact, the next time a defenseman goes first overall, he will draw comparisons to Schaefer. Just about every rookie defenseman will have to stack up against Schaefer\u2019s 2025-26 season.<\/p>\n

While it\u2019s hard to dismiss Ilya Sorokin\u2019s performance this year<\/a>, it\u2019s pretty clear that Schaefer had the most impact on the team this season. Yes, Sorokin kept the Isles in a playoff spot for much of the season. However, it\u2019s doubtful that the Islanders would have come so close to a playoff spot this season.<\/p>\n

And no, we can\u2019t pin the blame on Schaefer for the late-season collapse. That\u2019s a collective responsibility. Everyone on the club deserves their share of the blame.<\/p>\n

The question that remains is whether Schaefer can reprise his fantastic season in 2026-27. If he hits a sophomore slump, questions may emerge about how good he really is.<\/p>\n

So, here\u2019s hoping Schaefer has a rocking second season, dispelling any questions about his potential.<\/p>\n

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