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Matthew Schaefer ranked a top-10 candidate for the Hart Trophy by Daily Faceoff

ByMichael Stahurski|
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Nov 14, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer (48) reacts to scoring the game winning goal against the Utah Mammoth during overtime at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Nov 14, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer (48) reacts to scoring the game winning goal against the Utah Mammoth during overtime at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The fact that an 18-year-old kid could even be included in a list of this magnitude is unimaginable, especially for a NY Islanders defenseman. Now, after just one season in the NHL, Schaefer is already among the best defensemen in the league and could soon become one of the best players in the league.

Heading into the 2026-27 season, Schaefer is ranked No. 8 on Daily Faceoff's list of Hart Trophy candidates.

Schaefer could be a candidate for the Hart Trophy

"The best Hart candidates check the “badly needed by his team” and “straight-up awesome player” boxes simultaneously," Matt Larkin says. "That feels like Schaefer. Just 19 years old and one season into his career, he’s already the Isles’ most important player, fresh off tying the NHL rookie record for goals by a defenseman. He’ll play 25 minutes a night, he’ll likely accomplish several more things we’ve never seen from a teenaged blueliner and, if the Isles can bust out as a playoff team, he’ll be the No. 1 reason why."

If Schaefer were to win the Hart Trophy, he'd be the first defenseman to do so in 27 years, after Chris Pronger won the award with the St. Louis Blues in 1999-00.

Finishing his rookie campaign with 59 points (23 G, 36 A), it's difficult to imagine Schaefer having a better season than his rookie year. Turning 19 just a few days before the start of the season, there's still plenty of room for the unanimous Calder Trophy winner to grow physically. At 6'2" and 186 lbs, Schaefer will likely have put on muscle to his frame, and his skating allows him to compete with anyone.

Joining Schaefer on the list are the names that have been considered the top players for several years, including Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews, Nathan MacKinnon, and David Pastrnak.

It's a long shot, but if the Islanders have a successful season, Schaefer could have a chance at being in the running for the Hart Trophy. I mean, he received some votes as a rookie on a non-playoff team.

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