Matthew Schaefer
New York Islanders · #48 · Defenseman · age 19 · 6'2" · 186 lb · shoots LBorn 🇨🇦 Hamilton, Ontario · Drafted 2025 · Rd 1 #1
OFFENSIVE DEFENSEMAN1.00 points/game from the blue line this season
14 points in 14 games — 10th of 228 defensemen. The average defenseman has 4.2.
35HEAT · FORM, LAST 5 GAMEShotter than 89% of defensemen · average defenseman 15
100ENERGY · FRESHaverage defenseman 92 · last game 2 days ago
SCOUTING REPORT · AI, FROM THE NUMBERS
The player.
WHO HE IS · LONG TERM
Matthew Schaefer is the top-overall pick defenseman whose high-octane offensive game, marked by a rare 0.30 G/game and 0.44 A/game, translates into immediate blue-line dominance. Already entrusted with an iron-man 27.8 minutes in his debut, he's a genuine two-way force who drives play from the back end, making him a cornerstone talent for any franchise.
RIGHT NOW · LAST 5 GAMES
Schaefer is experiencing a significant scoring surge, particularly in his shooting efficiency, indicating a hot streak rather than noise. His elevated ice time and offensive production point to a player playing with confidence and effectiveness.
FORM OVER TIME · GAME BY GAME
Heat over time.
Steady around 35 lately — hotter than 89% of defensemen, against an average defenseman at 15.
Now 35 · +29 over these 14 games
━● Heat after each game╍ average defenseman (15)┈ top 5% of defensemen (44)
LAST 5 GAMES
The last stretch.
6 points and 4 goals in 5 games — 1.2× his usual pace, and 3.6× what an average defenseman scores in 5 games. He's shooting 20% in this stretch against 8% on the season.
| LAST 5 GAMES | HIM | HIS USUAL · PER 5 GAMES | AVERAGE DEFENSEMAN | VERDICT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goals | 4 | 1.4 | 0.4 | ▲ 2.8× his usual |
| Assists | 2 | 3.6 | 1.3 | ▼ 0.6× his usual |
| Points | 6 | 5.0 | 1.6 | ▲ 1.2× his usual |
| Shots | 20 | 19 | 6 | ≈ 1.1× his usual |
| Shooting % | 20.0% | 7.7% | 6.3% | ▲ 2.6× his usual |
| Plus/minus | −2 | −0.4 | +0.0 | −2 vs his usual |
| Ice time a game | 28:30 | 26:48 | 18:32 | ≈ 1.1× his usual |
| DATE | OPPONENT | RESULT | G | A | POINTS | SOG | +/- | TOI | HEAT AFTER |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 31 | vs EDM | L | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | −2 | 24:33 | 35 |
| Oct 29 | @ MIN | W | 2 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 30:01 | 40 |
| Oct 27 | @ NSH | W | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 32:16 | 30 |
| Oct 25 | @ DAL | L | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 26:16 | 25 |
| Oct 22 | vs LAK | L | 1 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 29:24 | 31 |
THIS SEASON · 2026–27 · AMONG 228 DEFENSEMEN
Where he stands.
The bar runs from zero to the league's best defenseman; the white tick is the average defenseman.
Points10th of 228 defensemen14leader Bouchard 26
Bouchard 26Goals6th of 228 defensemen4leader Bouchard 8
Bouchard 8Assists12th of 228 defensemen10leader Bouchard 18
Bouchard 18Shots1st of 228 defensemen52leads the league
Power-play points12th of 228 defensemen4leader 
Jones 11
Jones 11Plus/minus126th of 228 defensemen−1leader Bouchard +22
Bouchard +22Ice time a game3rd of 228 defensemen26:48leader 
Werenski 28:50
Werenski 28:50PERFORMANCE RADAR · PER GAME, PERCENTILE VS DEFENSEMEN
Shape of his game.
Separates in: shots (99th), ice time (99th), goals (96th). Below the middle: plus/minus (42nd).
■ Schaefer this season╍ the average defenseman┈ top 5% of defensemen
CAREER · NHL REGULAR SEASON · SOURCE: NHL.COM
Season by season.
On pace for 82 points over 82 games, which would beat his best season so far: 59 in 2025–26.
| SEASON | TEAM | GP | G | A | PTS | POINTS PER GAME | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026–27 · now | NYI | 14 | 4 | 10 | 14 | 1.00 | −1 |
| 2025–26 · best | NYI | 82 | 23 | 36 | 59 | 0.72 | +13 |