Matthew Schaefer could give the NY Islanders something Celebrini didn't San Jose

Matthew Schaefer appears destined to become one of the NHL’s highest-paid defensemen. That does not necessarily mean the New York Islanders’ cornerstone will demand every dollar available to him.

During an appearance on The Sheet with Jeff Marek, PuckPedia’s Keith Kavanaugh discussed which young star could eventually surpass Macklin Celebrini as the league’s highest-paid player. Celebrini recently signed a five-year, $94 million extension with the San Jose Sharks carrying an NHL-record $18.8 million annual cap hit.

Kavanaugh does not expect Schaefer to immediately challenge that number.

“I actually don’t think it’s gonna be Schaefer,” Kavanaugh said. “He seems like a kind of guy who will take a reasonable value contract that won’t necessarily break the bank.”

Kavanaugh suggested Schaefer could accept slightly less than his maximum market value, allowing the Islanders to direct additional salary-cap space toward constructing a stronger roster around him.

That would be a tremendous development for general manager Mathieu Darche. Schaefer is already the foundation of the Islanders’ next era, but building a Stanley Cup contender will require considerably more than one superstar defenseman. Every dollar Schaefer leaves on the table could help the Isles retain an important teammate or pursue another impact player.

Schaefer will become eligible to sign an extension on July 1, 2027. The Islanders will then face another important question: how long should the deal be?

Kavanaugh noted that elite young players have increasingly preferred five-year contracts rather than the maximum term. That structure allows them to reach unrestricted free agency sooner and negotiate another contract while still in their prime.

The NHL’s new collective bargaining rules will reduce the maximum extension with a player’s current team from eight years to seven beginning September 16, 2026.

A five-year agreement could increase Schaefer’s long-term earning potential. A seven-year deal, particularly at a team-friendly number, could provide the Islanders with their most valuable competitive advantage.

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