NY Islanders' Matthew Schaefer training camp experiment has good chance to stick

Matthew Schaefer skating on the right side during Day 3 of Islanders training camp might have looked like a September experiment.

Pete DeBoer made it sound like something more useful than that.

Schaefer, a natural left-shot defenseman, spent time on the right during Saturday's practice. While there's no indication the Islanders are planning a permanent position change for the reigning Calder Trophy winner, getting him comfortable there could give DeBoer considerably more flexibility when putting together his blue line.

"It's not the first time he's played right, and like I said, he ends up on that side a lot in the games when you watch him, anyway," DeBoer said.

That last part matters.

Schaefer isn't exactly a defenseman who stays planted on one side of the ice. His skating allows him to roam, join the rush and recover in ways most defensemen can't. Becoming comfortable starting on the right could simply add another dimension to what the Islanders can do with him.

It could also help create better balance.

Alexander Romanov and Adam Pelech are established left-shot defensemen. Isaiah George, another lefty, is pushing for an NHL job during camp. Depending on which defensemen earn spots and how DeBoer wants to construct his pairs, moving Schaefer could solve a numbers problem without forcing another player into an uncomfortable role.

"I think the rest of our lineup will dictate [whether he plays on the left or right]," DeBoer said. "It'll depend on who elevates here in training camp, who plays well."

Then there are injuries, something the Islanders' blue line has dealt with plenty in recent seasons.

"[If] we hit any injuries," DeBoer said, having Schaefer already familiar with the right side gives them another option.

That's really what this appears to be about.

Not moving Schaefer.

Expanding how many ways DeBoer can use him.

For a defenseman whose skating already allows him to seemingly be everywhere, being comfortable on either side could make the Islanders' most versatile blue-liner even more valuable.

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