New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer (48) celebrates with right wing Simon Holmstrom (10) his second goal of the game against the Montreal Canadiens. David Kirouac-Imagn Images

Islanders' Matthew Schaefer continues special rookie season with record-setting performance

By Adam Gretz | Last updated Feb 26, 2026 10:30 PM ET

Winning the 2025 NHL Draft Lottery could turn out to be a major franchise-changing moment for the New York Islanders. It was a huge stroke of good fortune for a team that did not bottom out, and put them in a position to land defenseman Matthew Schaefer with the No. 1 overall pick.

Schaefer is not only emerging as the leading Calder Trophy candidate (Rookie of the Year) for this season, he is looking like a cornerstone player that has unlimited upside.

He continued his special rookie season on Thursday by scoring two goals in a 4-3 overtime win against the Montreal Canadiens, helping him set an NHL record for rookie defensemen like him.

Matthew Schaefer's record-setting rookie season continues

With his two goals on Thursday, Schaefer is now up to 18 goals for the season, which is more than any 18-year-old defenseman has ever scored in a full NHL season.

His 18 goals also set a franchise record for the most goals ever by a rookie defenseman in Islanders history, breaking a record that had been held by Hockey Hall of Famer Denis Potvin.

NHL HISTORY FOR MATTHEW SCHAEFER!

He's set the record for most goals by an 18-year-old defenseman with his 18th of the season! pic.twitter.com/lNedBUd25O
— NHL (@NHL) February 27, 2026

The Islanders are one of the bigger surprises in the NHL this season and sit in a playoff spot in the Metropolitan Division as of Thursday. They also have a little bit of a cushion in that playoff race. The two biggest factors in that are the play of starting goalie Ilya Sorokin and the rapid development of Schaefer.

This is simply the type of thing that does not happen in the NHL with a player this young, at this position.

An 18-year-old defenseman making the NHL is rare. Getting a full season out of them is even rarer. Getting a season like this is now getting into uncharted and unprecedented territory. He is not just good for an 18-year-old. He is not just good for a rookie. He is simply really good. Period.

His 18 goals are now third among all NHL defensemen this season, trailing only Jakob Chychrun ( Washington Capitals ) and Zach Werenski ( Columbus Blue Jackets). Schaefer has a real chance to score at least 25 goals this season.

Adam Gretz

Adam Gretz is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh. He covers the NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA. Baseball is his favorite sport -- he is nearly halfway through his goal of seeing a game in every MLB ballpark. Catch him on Twitter @AGretz

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