Islanders Schaefer on track to break NHL record

The New York Islanders have had it really good this season with Matthew Schaefer. His season has been so impressive that it makes fans easily forget the Islanders almost picked someone else.

Fast-forward to March 2025, and Schaefer has become just the fourth rookie blueliner to score 20 goals in a season.

That’s a career season for plenty of depth forwards who’ve been 10 years in the league. For Schaefer, it brings him close to breaking an NHL record. Schaefer has a decent shot of passing Brian Leetch, who scored 22 times during his rookie campaign in 1988-89.

Considering the ice time Schaefer gets and how his game has continued to improve, there’s a definite chance he could do it. It would be a welcome sight to see Schaefer pull off such a remarkable feat.

At this point in the season, the 18-year-old has 44 points in 61 games. He’s got a decent shot at 60 points, something that could hit in the same conversation as Lane Hutson last season. The Montreal Canadiens blueliner notched 66 en route to the Calder Trophy.

It seems like Schaefer will be on track to follow in Hutson’s footsteps.

Islanders could get better as Schaefer improves

The Islanders’ success this season isn’t solely the result of Schaefer’s success. In fact, it’s sort of the other way around.

Schaefer has been successful this season because he’s come into a winning situation. The team was in a good spot collectively, allowing Schaefer to excel. If the Isles had really been a dysfunctional mess, it’s tough to envisage Schaefer having a good season.

That said, it’s also been a type of symbiotic relationship. The team and the rising star feed off one another. The veteran core provides Schaefer with the security blanket he needs, while Schaefer gives the Islanders that boost only a budding superstar can deliver.

Other teams have experienced it. The San Jose Sharks have gotten it from Macklin Celebrini. The Chicago Blackhawks have gotten that much as well from Connor Bedard.

When you really think about it, the Islanders have a place to channel their energies. In this case, it’s the upward trajectory of Schaefer. His energy, touching backstory, and 10-pound heart make him the ideal vehicle to turn things around in Long Island.

Dare I say that Schaefer could mean to this team what Denis Potvin once did?

Players like that don’t come around very often. And in the Islanders’ case, it takes about five decades.

Perhaps Schaefer could turn into this generation’s Potvin. He doesn’t look like a flash in the pan, but only time will tell if Schaefer really does become that franchise cornerstone. Perhaps there could be another round of multiple Stanley Cups to appease the suffering of the Islanders’ faithful.