NY Islanders star rookie Matthew Schaefer's numbers are not normal for an 18-year old

The numbers jumped off the screen and has the hockey world buzzing.

A viral graphic from SportsLogicIQ lit up hockey social media on Friday, putting into perspective just how extraordinary New York Islanders rookie Matthew Schaefer’s start has been. Islanders fans already knew they were watching something special — four games, four points, heavy minutes, and trust from coach Patrick Roy on both special teams. But the deeper analytics painted a picture that made even neutral observers stop scrolling.

According to the SportsLogicIQ data, Schaefer ranks among the NHL’s elite defensemen across multiple categories: Offensive Zone Possession: 0:57 per game (3rd), Zone Exits: 7.8 (2nd), Zone Entries: 3.0 (5th), Zone Denial Rate: 78.6% (1st), and Points per Game: 1.0 (7th).

For a recently turned 18-year-old defenseman with only four NHL games under his belt, those are jaw-dropping metrics. They suggest not only poise and confidence but also control — the ability to dictate play on both ends of the ice. Schaefer isn’t just surviving shifts against top forwards; he’s driving them, owning the puck, and forcing opponents into mistakes.

That blend of possession dominance, composure under pressure, and offensive instinct has drawn attention far beyond Long Island. Analysts have already begun whispering about Schaefer as an early favorite for the Calder Trophy, awarded to the NHL’s top rookie.

It’s far too soon to hand out awards, but the impact is undeniable. Schaefer has quickly become the rare defenseman whose analytics match the eye test — someone who looks, and statistically performs, like a future franchise cornerstone. If these numbers hold anything close to steady, the rest of the league may soon be chasing him, not the other way around.