Schaefer (illness) will be in the lineup versus the Devils on Tuesday, Stefen Rosner of NHL.com reports.
Schaefer will avoid missing any game time after having been sidelined for Monday's practice session. Through 42 games this year, the rookie blueliner has registered 12 goals and 16 assists, including 13 power-play points, and is currently the favorite to take home the Calder Trophy at the end of the year.
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Islanders' Matthew Schaefer: Game-time call Tuesday
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Schaefer (illness) will be a game-time decision against New Jersey on Tuesday, Stefen Rosner of NHL.com reports.
Schaefer didn't participate in Monday's practice. He has amassed 12 goals, 28 points, 113 shots on net and 58 blocked shots in 42 games this season. If Schaefer is unavailable to play against the Devils, Adam Boqvist will likely draw into Tuesday's lineup.
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Islanders' Matthew Schaefer: Dealing with illness
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Schaefer will not practice Monday due to an illness.
Schaefer was labeled as day-to-day by the team ahead of Tuesday's game versus the Devils. After a slow end to 2025 saw the young blueliner notch just two points in seven games from Dec. 16-30, he has bounced back with the flip of the calendar, generating three goals on five shots in two January contests. If Schaefer can't go Tuesday, Tony DeAngelo could see more responsibility with the No. 1 power-play unit.
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Islanders' Matthew Schaefer: Sets NHL mark for teenage defenders
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Schaefer scored two goals Saturday, including the game-winner, in a 4-3 overtime victory over the Maple Leafs.
Schaefer became the first defenseman in NHL history to record two multi-goal games as an 18-year-old. He went wide around the defender before waiting out Joseph Woll and sliding the puck past him. Schaefer is on a three-game, four-point streak (three goals, one assist), and he sits in a three-way tie for 16th overall in scoring from the blue line with 28 points. Remarkably, Schaefer sits in a tie for third overall among defenders in goals (12).
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Islanders' Matthew Schaefer: Reaches 10-goal mark
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Schaefer scored a power-play goal on three shots and added two PIM in Thursday's 7-2 loss to the Mammoth.
While it was a lousy performance for the Islanders as a whole, Schaefer secured his 10th goal of the season. That puts him in a tie for fourth in goals among all blueliners this season, and he's tied for third in goals among all rookies. He had a decent December with six points in 14 outings, but it was his quietest month of the season so far. He's at 10 goals, 26 points (13 on the power play), 111 shots on net, 57 blocked shots and a plus-7 rating through 41 appearances. A 20-goal for a rookie defenseman would be incredibly special -- it's only happened three times in NHL history. Brian Leetch did it with 23 goals in 1988-89, while Barry Beck (22 goals in 1977-78) and Dion Phaneuf (20 goals in 2005-06) are the other two members of that elite club. Denis Potvin (17 goals in 1973-74) holds the Islanders record for goals by a rookie blueliner.
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Islanders' Matthew Schaefer: Climbing all-time rookie list
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Schaefer scored a power-play goal in Saturday's 3-2 shootout win over Tampa Bay.
The Isles were on a 4-on-3 power play, and Schaefer took a return pass from Anthony Duclair in the slot and buried a wrist shot five-hole on Ilya Sorokin. Schaefer tied Rasmus Dahlin (nine in 2018-19 with Buffalo) and Zach Bogosian (nine in 2008-09 with Atlanta) for the NHL's third-highest single-season goal total by a defenseman age 18 or younger.
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Islanders' Matthew Schaefer: Impressive start continues
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Schaefer scored a power-play goal Thursday in a 6-2 loss to the Hurricanes.
Schaefer's goal came on a wrist shot from the left point through traffic. Schaefer continues to astound the league with his impressive skills, even though he just turned 18 at the start of September. Schaefer has three goals and five assists in 10 games with the Islanders. He has 31 shots, and four of his points, including two goals, have come with the man advantage.
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Islanders' Matthew Schaefer: Scores in win over San Jose
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Schaefer scored a goal and added an assist in Tuesday's 4-3 win over the Sharks.
The 18-year-old defenseman continues to turn heads with his play and extended his point streak to six games with his goal in the second period. Schaefer has two goals and five helpers through his first six games in the NHL. He has three points on the power play and has logged at least 20 minutes of ice time in four of his last five outings. The first overall pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft continues to impress, and it seems his role will only grow as the season progresses.
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Islanders' Matthew Schaefer: Extends point streak to three games
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Schaefer dished out an assist, had four shots on net and recorded a blocked shot in Monday's 5-2 loss to the Jets.
Schaefer's hot start to the season continued Monday as he tallied a secondary helper on Emil Heineman's goal late in the second period. With the assist, Schaefer has two helpers and a goal across his first three career games. The No. 1 overall selection in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft has been a spark for New York's offense despite the team's 0-3-0 record. He once again logged over 26 minutes of ice time, which will skyrocket his fantasy value if the trend continues. The Islanders' trust in Schaefer and his early involvement in the offensive zone make him worth a roster spot in almost all fantasy formats. He is one of the top waiver-wire candidates on all fantasy hockey platforms.
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Islanders' Matthew Schaefer: Scores first career goal
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Schaefer tallied a goal, had eight shots on net, and blocked a shot in Saturday's 4-2 loss to Washington.
The future of Long Island hockey has arrived, and his name is Matthew Schaefer. The No. 1 overall selection in the 2025 NHL Draft posted a breakout performance in just his second career game with solid category coverage. He stole the show in the third period, netting his first career goal on a power play. Not only was his stat line complete with eight shots and one block, but his ice time jumped from 17:15 to 26:04, a near nine-minute increase from his debut. The 18-year-old has seemed to gain more trust offensively with 2:40 of power-play time, which gives him a high ceiling for his rookie campaign. If Schaefer's first two games are any indication of what the rest of the season has in store for this year's top pick, he is set to be a great option on the fantasy blue line in all formats. Scoop him up off the waiver wire before it's too late.
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Islanders' Matthew Schaefer: Earns assist in NHL debut
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Schaefer recorded an assist in Thursday's 4-3 loss to the Penguins.
Schaefer set up Jonathan Drouin's goal at 12:02 of the first period. It's a positive start for the 2025 No. 1 pick, as Schaefer saw 17:15 of ice time in a third-pairing role. He's the lone youngster on the Islanders' blue line, but he could move up the ranks if he continues to play well. Any top pick will get attention in fantasy -- don't overlook Schaefer, as he should be productive on offense as long as he avoids head coach Patrick Roy's doghouse as a rookie.
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Islanders' Matthew Schaefer: Set for NHL debut
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Schaefer will make his NHL debut against Pittsburgh on Thursday, Stefen Rosner of NHL.com reports.
The Islanders selected Schaefer with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. He cracked the team's Opening Night roster out of training camp and should see some power-play action during his regular-season debut. The talented blueliner earned two assists and eight shots on goal in four outings during the Islanders' exhibition schedule.
