The New York Islanders surprised no one at the 2025 NHL Draft when they used the first-overall pick to select standout defenseman Matthew Schaefer. The highly touted 17-year-old has long been considered a future NHL cornerstone, and the Islanders wasted no time making their intentions clear.
In his first in-depth comments since the draft, newly appointed general manager Mathieu Darche explained why trading the pick was never seriously considered. Though some rival teams reached out, Darche said the Islanders always knew who they were taking.
“There was never an actual offer,” Darche told NHL insider Jeff Marek. “A few teams just asked, ‘Hey, what are your plans?’ and I told them straight, I’m picking.”
Why were the Islanders so certain about Matthew Schaefer?
According to Darche, much of the confidence behind the pick came from the organization’s veteran scouting department. Though Darche only recently took over as GM, he said the scouting team—led by Ken Morrow—was unified in their belief that Schaefer was the best player available.
Bridgeport coach Rocky Thompson and Matthew Schaeffer #71 take part in practice during the New York Islanders 2025 Development Camp at Northwell Health Ice Center at Eisenhower Park on June 30, 2025 in East Meadow, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
“So I wasn’t moving the pick,” he said. “I didn’t know the player as well as our scouts. But they were all-in on him.” Darche credited Morrow for laying the groundwork, and after watching more game tape and meeting Schaefer himself, he agreed completely: “It was a clear cut. He was going to be our guy.”
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What impressed the Islanders most about Schaefer?
Beyond Schaefer’s performance on the ice, Darche emphasized the 17-year-old’s maturity and resilience. After losing his mother at a young age, Schaefer has shown emotional strength that Darche believes will translate well into a professional locker room.
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“The kid is an impressive young man,” he said. “His maturity is beyond his years.” With training camp on the horizon, the Islanders will now evaluate whether Schaefer is ready to make his NHL debut in fall 2025.
