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The New York Islanders selected defenseman Matthew Schaefer with the first overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft on Friday.
Schaefer is the first blue-liner taken with the top pick since Owen Power in 2021 and the Islanders' first No. 1 overall selection since John Tavares in 2009.
The Hamilton, Ontario, native missed the beginning of the 2024-25 season due to mono and then suffered a broken clavicle at the World Junior Championship, sidelining him for nearly four months.
The lack of sample size is arguably the only knock on Schaefer, but his performance when healthy was enough to make him the consensus top player in the draft.
Schaefer finished third in points per game among OHL defensemen with at least 15 appearances, trailing only 2024 first-rounders Zayne Parekh and Sam Dickinson. He was one of Canada's most impressive players at the world juniors until his injury, tallying a goal and an assist in two games.
Schaefer's greatest asset is his skating. He's smooth, agile, and powerful, especially considering his 6-foot-2 frame. He uses his feet to skate his way out of trouble, leads rushes up the ice, and attacks defenders one-on-one with speed. Schaefer's intelligence and competitiveness also make him a quality defender in his own end.
If everything comes together, Schaefer could be a franchise player and compete for Norris Trophies one day. He's drawn comparisons to two-way defensemen such as Miro Heiskanen and Jake Sanderson, among others.
What they're saying
"He's a powerful, effortless skater who will be able to close gaps and transition up ice at a clear NHL level," The Athletic's Corey Pronman wrote in May. "He uses his feet to attack often, leading and supporting rushes very well. Schaefer is a very intelligent defenseman with legit offensive skills. ... He projects as a star No. 1 defenseman in the NHL."
"Schaefer is the best skater available," NHL.com's Adam Kimelman said. "His offensive game is dynamic, and he's strong enough to handle any situation in the defensive zone."
