D Matt Schaefer - Erie Otters, OHL (2025 Draft)

[covfefe]

NIL money can help offset that ELC if he wants to go to college.

Canadians can't take NIL money.

Edit: and contrary to popular belief, there is no substantive NIL $ in college hockey.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Canadians can't take NIL money.

Edit: and contrary to popular belief, there is no substantive NIL $ in college hockey.

Elliotte Friedman said colleges are working on ways to get Canadian players NIL and it should be worked out.

 

[WarriorofTime]

Canadians can't take NIL money.

They can, that they can't is the myth, it's just more complicated.

 

[yessir29292]

NIL money can help offset that ELC if he wants to go to college.

Not for a Canadian. Hes gonna sign an ELC right away, helps both parties. No chance he doesnt.

 

[rahad]

Out of the current bottom 5 teams the only team I see picking Misa/Hagens over him is Buffalo. San Jose winning the lottery and adding him on the back end next to Dickinson is unfair. Especially with Celebrini and Smith up front.

It will be fun to see Buffalo draft another Defenseman first overall!

 

[Corso]

Canadians can't take NIL money.

Edit: and contrary to popular belief, there is no substantive NIL $ in college hockey.

They can earn passive income and they can set up licensing deals within Canada.....but of course it is very difficult to generate the amount of money that would equal an ELC so......

And you are correct NIL money is not a substantial amount in college hockey

 

[Kaners PPGs]

Not for a Canadian. Hes gonna sign an ELC right away, helps both parties. No chance he doesnt.

Did he announce this or is that your prediction?

 

[frontsfan67]

Why would Schaefer go to the NCAA lol?

He hasn’t even dominated junior hockey yet. He’s great don’t get me wrong but he has had troubles staying healthy this season and last season struggled. Would be more beneficial to play again in OHL or NHL.

Also there was a but article about Zach Edey not getting lots of NIL money despite being the best college player 2 years in a row. No point in Schaefer going to college unless there’s a big change to that NIL

 

[frontsfan67]

Good chance Nashville is picking top 3, imagine if they are able to get Schaefer. Perfect Josi replacement long term.

Will be gone by then for sure

 

[MichaelFarrell]

This would mean he cannot sign his ELC. No reason why he wouldn't. 0% chance 1OA doesn't sign his ELC right away

Owen Power literally did this very recently lol.

Why would Schaefer go to the NCAA lol?

He hasn’t even dominated junior hockey yet. He’s great don’t get me wrong but he has had troubles staying healthy this season and last season struggled. Would be more beneficial to play again in OHL or NHL.

Also there was a but article about Zach Edey not getting lots of NIL money despite being the best college player 2 years in a row. No point in Schaefer going to college unless there’s a big change to that NIL

NCAA hockey has more structured play, older competition, and can allow for more strength training due to the schedule.

I think it’s a great option for Schaefer.

 

[wetcoast]

From Chicago's POV as I understand it, they have a pretty deep D pool but they are seriously lacking help for Bedard up front. Sure, Schaefer has been the clear-cut #1, but Misa has been coming on strong and who knows by June. Also, D takes longer and Schaefer is young. It feels like CHI could consider any F alongside Schaefer and it wouldn't be that surprising.

Most people here are going to say "BPA" but just because Bob's list in Jan says Schaefer is BPA doesn't mean everyone thinks so (I know you know this, just saying). Even Mike Grier who has been quite honest with his public comments was asked about Schaefer and said something to the effect of "well, this year there's no obvious #1 right, no Celebrini or Bedard, but they're all exciting and we'll do our homework." He didn't have to say that and he hasn't been one to try to manipulate through comments, so who knows where teams have "BPA"?

Maybe so but like I have stated upthread they could have ended up with Demidov and Schaefer which I think is going to better than Levshunov and Misa IMO but they have already crossed that bridge so you might right.

 

[WarriorofTime]

Maybe so but like I have stated upthread they could have ended up with Demidov and Schaefer which I think is going to better than Levshunov and Misa IMO but they have already crossed that bridge so you might right.

Levshunov is RHD which Schaefer isn’t. So that’s not real a one for one when the question is if they are too crowded with LHD as is (note that doesn’t mean you don’t pick Schaefer if you think he’s the best player but I think you’re mixing up discussion points here by bringing in Levshunov fruitlessly)

 

[wetcoast]

Levshunov is RHD which Schaefer isn’t. So that’s not real a one for one when the question is if they are too crowded with LHD as is (note that doesn’t mean you don’t pick Schaefer if you think he’s the best player but I think you’re mixing up discussion points here by bringing in Levshunov fruitlessly)

Teams usually only have one #1 dman and that was the point I was responding to from the previous post.

Also team makeup probably does have some impact in some teams decisions.

But the bottom line is what each teams list is and how big the gap they have between players, that's what should be driving their decisions.

 

[Star Platinum]

Why would Schaefer go to the NCAA lol?

He hasn’t even dominated junior hockey yet. He’s great don’t get me wrong but he has had troubles staying healthy this season and last season struggled. Would be more beneficial to play again in OHL or NHL.

Because he's too good for junior hockey (and yes, he has dominated junior hockey) but needs another year before going to the NHL IMO.

His two big "injury" issues were mono and a freak incident running into a goal. Neither of these are long-term concerns.

 

[shello]

2012: Morgan Rielly comes to mind

Although rarely do top prospects get hurt during their DY and miss much/most of the season. Your point is very fair though

Galchenyuk in the same draft too

 

[Kingpin794]

Because he's too good for junior hockey (and yes, he has dominated junior hockey) but needs another year before going to the NHL IMO.

His two big "injury" issues were mono and a freak incident running into a goal. Neither of these are long-term concerns.

That's not a thing.

You can say that Schaefer would benefit from a new coach/system, or that he can physically handle the NCAA, which are both true and valid reasons why he might go to the NCAA. But no one is too good for major junior if they are junior aged.