Winnipeg Jets head coach compares NY Islanders rookie to Norris Trophy winner

Even in defeat, young phenoms demand attention.

After the Winnipeg Jets’ 5-2 win over the New York Islanders on Monday afternoon, Jets head coach Scott Arniel couldn’t help but draw a high ceiling comparison — one that puts Matthew Schaefer in rarified company.

“I’m glad he’s in the East,” the coach said. “The kid is dynamic. Boy, can he skate. I’ve seen some young guys step into this league — there’s a guy in Colorado who has that same kind of poise and ability to move. I saw some video, watching him on TV last year, but to see him live, man, oh, man, he can jump, he can skate. He has some tools, and like I said, I’m glad he’s in the East.”

That “guy in Colorado” is no mystery: Cale Makar, the Avalanche star and Norris Trophy winner known for his seamless transition game, high-end skating, and poise under pressure. To hear a rival coach liken Schaefer to Makar is not hyperbole — it’s a statement of belief.

Schaefer, the Islanders’ first-overall pick in 2025, has won fans and coaches over quickly. In just his first three games, he’s turned heads with confidence, decision-making, and composure well beyond his years. His historic assist in his debut and then his goal a game later made him one of the youngest blueliners ever to score in the modern era. He picked up another point in Monday's loss.

Unlike many rookies who tiptoe into the NHL, Schaefer has already shown he’s comfortable skating at breakneck speed in chaos, backpeddling and jumping into offense, in close spaces, under duress. He’s logged heavy minutes, and his transitions feel early-career Makar-esque — not identical, but shades that draw the comparison.

Of course, Schaefer’s story is just beginning. Makar went on to elite status after years of refinement. But when a Jets coach is watching, nodding approval, and naming names worthy of emulation, that’s elite company indeed. Schaefer’s tools may already be telling us: the next chapter might be historic.