Matthew Schaefer draws praise from Sharks' head coach and defenseman Nick Leddy
New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer passes the puck against the Edmonton Oilers in the third period at UBS Arena on Oct. 16, 2025. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
Nick Leddy was the fleetest Islanders defenseman for several seasons, so skating ability recognizes skating ability. But before he faced Matthew Schaefer on the ice, he met the No. 1 overall pick at a friendly dinner with former teammates.
Leddy’s new squad, the San Jose Sharks, face the Islanders at UBS Arena on Tuesday night, marking the first time Schaefer will play against center Michael Misa, selected second overall this June. The two developed a friendship leading up to the NHL Draft.
It also is the first time Schaefer faces Macklin Celebrini, selected first overall in 2024, and the fourth time in six games he'll skate against a fellow No. 1 following the Penguins’ Sidney Crosby, the Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin and the Oilers’ Connor McDavid.
“You’ve got to be on your toes for when you’re playing against guys like that,” Schaefer said. “But you’re so in the game you don’t even really think about it in the moment.”
Schaefer, 18, has moved in with Matt Martin, the longtime Islander fourth-liner now working as a special assistant to general manager Mathieu Darche. Martin’s family hosted Leddy along with former Islander-turned-radio-analyst Josh Bailey for a Monday night meal.
“I’ve seen a couple of highlights, obviously very impressive,” said Leddy, an Islander from 2014-21 in his first season with the Sharks. “It was great to meet him. He’s an exceptional young kid and he’s definitely got a great future.
“It was fun to chat with him and get to know him a little bit and see the dynamic between him and Marty and how their living situation is going to be. They were joking about having five kids at the house.”
Martin and his wife, Sydney, have four young children, including twins born in June.
Schaefer enters Tuesday’s match with a five-game point streak (one goal, four assists) to start his NHL career. Against the Sharks, he was bidding to become the fourth (and youngest) 18-year-old and third defenseman in NHL history to start their career with a six-game point streak. Schaefer also has a chance to match Bob Bourne in 1974 as the only Islander to start their career with a six-game point streak.
“Not really a surprise,” said Misa, who plays in his third NHL game and is looking for his first career point. “You see the way he makes plays and the way he can skate, it’s pretty impressive.”
Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky said Schaefer was difficult to contain despite the scouting reports.
“You look at some of the superstars in the game, [Avalanche center Nate] MacKinnon, McDavid, [Avalanche defenseman Cale] Makar, as much as you pre-scout them and we talk about them and we show it, their elite skill sometimes breaks down your system just single-handedly,” Warsofsky said. “I think he’s going to be close to that, in that ballpark of those types of players. You just see it on film right now. This soon is impressive.
“He’s pretty electric out there. His skating really sets him apart. Dynamic with the puck. There’s no panic in his game. When you think you have him pinned in the corner, he’s leading the rush. [The Islanders] have a special one for a long time.”
The gregarious Schaefer also holds Misa in high regard.
There was some speculation the Islanders might have interest in Misa before Schaefer stood out through testing and interviews at the NHL Scouting Combine in Buffalo in June.
“He’s a great kid,” Schaefer said. “I wished him luck with his first games. In the summer I skated with him sometimes.”
Leddy, 34, said he is impressed with any teenager who can make the jump directly from Canadian junior hockey to the NHL as both Schaefer and Misa are doing.
Celebrini played one season at Boston University before notching 25 goals and 38 assists last season as a rookie.
“When I came into the league, you didn’t see as many young guys,” Leddy said. “Now you’re seeing guys come in at 18, 19 and have so much talent and make that impact and be a real contributor.”
Notes & quotes: Defenseman Alexander Romanov (upper body) will miss his second straight game despite practicing on Monday. He remains day to day . . . Forwards Kyle MacLean and Marc Gatcomb are the healthy scratches.
Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.
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