NHL on TNT agrees Matthew Schaefer is already “Franchise-Changing” for NY Islanders

If there was ever any doubt about how quickly New York Islanders rookie Matthew Schaefer has shaken the NHL, the NHL on TNT crew put it to rest Tuesday night. In a segment dedicated entirely to the Islanders’ 18-year-old phenom, the panel spoke about him the way you speak about players who fundamentally alter the trajectory of a franchise.

Right off the top, TNT highlighted the staggering numbers: through his first 30 games, only Phil Housley had more points as an 18-year-old defenseman in NHL history. Schaefer was sitting ahead of Hall of Famers like Ray Bourque. That alone would earn league-wide attention — but as the TNT crew emphasized, Schaefer isn’t just productive. He’s transformative.

“Talented, poised… franchise-changing type player?” studio host Liam McHugh asked as they broke down his emergence. They noted that he leads all rookies in ice time, ranks among rookie leaders in goals, and has already become the Islanders’ primary driver from the back end. “He commands respect from the blue line,” Anson Carter said. “He ignites the offense with that first pass.”

Paul Bissonnette, a frequent critic of the Islanders and their style of play during the Lou Lamoriello era, expanded on that impact, noting how rare it is to see an 18-year-old defenseman instantly boost a team’s offense. “Since he came in, it kind of reminds me of Lane Hutson — the way he’s providing offense from the back end,” Bissonnette said. “He’s really a driving force. The Islanders have been so boring and painful to watch the last few years, and now they look completely different with him lugging the mail from the defensive zone to the offensive zone.”

Carter added that Schaefer has helped unlock the faster, more aggressive brand of hockey Patrick Roy wants to play. “This is not the same Islanders team we’ve seen the last few years,” Carter said. “And it starts with Schaefer.”

Just as importantly, they credited Islanders veterans for embracing him. Living with Matt Martin, Biz said, likely helped him navigate the room while still bringing his personality. “He’s full of life...and the guys love him because of what he brings on the ice.”

The consensus was unmistakable: Matthew Schaefer hasn’t just been good — he’s changed the entire energy of the Islanders, and he’s doing it at 18.