Matthew Schaefer faces a critical decision regarding his playing status for the upcoming NHL season. Returning to the OHL may not aid his development since he has already succeeded at that level. His prior injury-limited season saw him contribute positively in just 17 games. The Islanders already possess enough depth in their defense, allowing them to ease Schaefer into either a bottom-pairing role or reserve him for another option. Transitioning to the NHL could be beneficial for his growth as a player.
Schaefer has nothing to prove in the OHL. He's already been drafted as the top pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. A return to the OHL would serve to assert his dominance over that level.
The New York Islanders are not a rebuilding team in desperate need of a top-pairing defenseman. The club already has Alexander Romanov, allowing for Schaefer to be sheltered initially.
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