Matthew Schaefer’s true feelings on potentially becoming Islanders captain

The New York Islanders saw captain Anders Lee depart the franchise this summer. The veteran winger signed with the Utah Mammoth in NHL Free Agency. As a result, the captaincy is up for grabs, and many are turning toward phenom defenseman Matthew Schaefer as a potential candidate.

Schaefer had one of the best rookie seasons in NHL history in 2025-26. He tied the record for goals by a rookie defenseman with 23. His strong play helped New York contend for a postseason spot. Though they fell short, he is a major reason the future is bright on Long Island. In saying this, the captaincy isn’t a major priority at this time.

“It would be such an honor (to be captain),” Schaefer told NHL.com on Monday. “There have been so many great (Islanders captains), but at the end of the day we have so many leaders like Bo Horvat, Brayden Schenn who have all been captains and are all our leaders too. I’m still young so I’m in no rush.”

Both Horvat and Schenn make sense as captain candidates, as well. Both players spent multiple seasons with their former teams before being traded to the Islanders. Horvat has been with the team longer, though, which could give him an edge in this race.

Of course, there is the possibility of the Islanders waiting a bit before naming a captain. At this time, 10 teams, including New York, do not have a captain. Of those 10 teams, three of them went without a captain the entire 2025-26 campaign. If New York wants to wait and name Schaefer captain, they could follow the same path in 2026-27.