Matthew Schaefer, an island, reveals the possibilities that limit the possibilities of opening the debut at night


Like the Islanders of New York Anticularly foresees the start of the season 2025-26 NHL, all eyes are on Matthew SchaeferYour number 1 selection in NHL project of 2025. Schaefer has its views on the List of the Night of the Islands.

In an interview with TSN Radio 1050 on Monday, Schaefer acknowledged that he still has a job to do at the gym to make it stronger.

“I want to be on this opening list and there are still some things that I have to work in the gym, on the ice. I think it's simply stronger is the thing for me,” Schaefer said.

Schaefer understands that NHL level transition requires not only skill, but also physical tools for competing against experienced professionals. As a higher selection of drafts, the expectations are high, but the young defender remains grounded and focused on the task we are dealing with.

“Being with NHL guys and out of the ice doing things so strongly. I honestly, I think that's what I need,” he added, reflecting on his training sessions with Mark Giordano and Sean Monahan.

The main coach of the islanders, Patrick Roy, has already talked to Schaefer, emphasizing the importance of playing with freedom and not pressing on himself.

“I talked a bit with him and wants to have this freedom where he does not want to have pressure on me, he wants to go out and be free and play my game,” Schaefer added through TSN.

The islanders will open their season on the road against the Pittsburgh Penguins on October 10.

It was limited to only 17 parties in his draft of the year after dealing with Mono and then suffered a broken clavicle. Despite this, Schaefer recorded seven goals and 22 points for the Ohl's Erie Otters. He also won the CHL's first perspective award.

The New York Islands projected the line

Front

  • Jonathan Drouin – Good Horvat – Kyle Palmieri
  • Anders Lee – Mathew Barzal – Simon Holmstrom
  • Anthony Duclair-Jean-Gabriel Page-Maxim Shabanov
  • Maxim Tsyplakov – Casey Cizikas – Emil Heineman

Hedge

  • Alexander Romanov – Tony Deangelo
  • Adam Pelech – Ryan Pulock
  • Matthew Schaefer – Scott Mayfield

Porter

  • Ilya Sorokin
  • David Rittich

Schaefer has won a place to open the night with the islanders, but he thinks he still has to win his place on the team.