Islanders rookie getting serious consideration for Team Canada

The New York Islanders could have several players represent their home countries at the 2026 Olympics. Bo Horvat is making a serious case. So is Mathew Barzal. But there’s one player who’s suddenly burst onto the scene.

Rookie Matthew Schaefer has turned heads so much this season that he’s now being scouted by Team Canada reps. That’s the angle Pierre LeBrun presented during the November 11 edition of TSN’s Insider Trading.

During the exchange, LeBrun told James Duthie about his conversation with Team Canada GM Doug Armstrong. In that conversation, Armstrong confessed that Schaefer’s overall play this season has gotten Team Canada officials scouting the 18-year-old.

While Team Canada officials are highly impressed with Schaefer, he’s still a long shot to make the team. According to LeBrun, Team Canada wants to bring back their blue line from the 4 Nations Face-Off to the 2026 Olympics.

However, fans shouldn’t be surprised to see Schaefer’s name get thrown into the ring as the season progresses. Injuries and inconsistency could play a major role in Schaefer getting a long look before final rosters are announced at some point in December.

Schaefer a lock to represent Islanders in 2030

The consensus at this point is that Schaefer is a lock to represent the Islanders at the 2030 Olympics. Barring injury or poor play, Schaefer should be a fixture on Team Canada’s blue line in roughly five years.

Schaefer, along with Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard and San Jose Sharks forward Macklin Celebrini, is a young player who seems poised to take over the old guard after this Olympic cycle.

While players like Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon should still be around in 2030, Team Canada’s roster could be gradually turning over. That will undoubtedly create an opportunity for younger players like Bedard, Celebrini, and Schaefer to create a formidable Team Canada roster.

It’s scary to think that Team Canada’s blue line could have Cale Makar and Matthew Schaefer in 2030. In the meantime, Schaefer has drawn significant consideration irrespective of playing just 16 NHL games. Yet, his five goals and 12 points but been highly impressive. The first-overall pick has averaged over 22 minutes of ice time per game, while sporting a 10.4% shooting percentage.

While that’s certainly a small sample size, Schaefer’s increasing confidence on the ice has warranted league-wide attention. If there’s a bold prediction to be made regarding Team Canada’s roster, it’s that Matthew Schaefer could make the team as the seventh defenseman.