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

[TheGreenTBer]

Would’ve been on pace for 88pts but not in zayne Parekh fashion- he actually plays d really well!

Whenever he is- the islanders would be incredibly foolish not to lend him to the world juniors next season

I am not a big prospect guy and I have only seen a few games of this guy but he plays like a veteran. The way he moves, adjusts and anticipates is NHL level already. There's no situation you can't play him in, he's going to eat minutes like a monster.

 

[frontsfan67]

I am not a big prospect guy and I have only seen a few games of this guy but he plays like a veteran. The way he moves, adjusts and anticipates is NHL level already. There's no situation you can't play him in, he's going to eat minutes like a monster.

Absolutely.

Watched a couple otters games with him this year unfortunately never got to see him play the fronts due to him being injured for both games. Would’ve seen more but he was injured for most of the season. I’ve met Matt and he seems like a nice down to earth kid too. Mother passed away last year- wishing nothing but the best for him and his family.

 

[DudeWhereIsMakar]

I want Utah to draft him.

 

[frontsfan67]

I want Utah to draft him.

Sorry dude 0 chance he makes it that far even if he did fall a spot or two

 

[ozzie]

Whilst you can't teach size, this guy has to be a huge risk either way. I'm not sure I'd want my team taking a chance on that sample size. I'm have concerns about Misa, but at least he's more of a known quaintity with respectable sample size. As sexy as the next big D-man would be, it seems way to risky on this one.

 

[SympathyForTheDevils]

Whilst you can't teach size, this guy has to be a huge risk either way. I'm not sure I'd want my team taking a chance on that sample size. I'm have concerns about Misa, but at least he's more of a known quaintity with respectable sample size. As sexy as the next big D-man would be, it seems way to risky on this one.

Why would he be such a huge a risk? AFAIK, his injury is not a long-term concern. 20 or so games is plenty enough to evaluate a prospect in his draft year; anyway, it's not like playing more games in your draft year somehow makes you a safer prospect. And there doesn't seem to be a glaring problem with his game that would lead people to think he has a high chance of busting.

 

[Surfer Dude]

Injury is not a huge risk but he did lose significant development time. Also, many first and top pick D since Dahlin didn't really live up to status or impact. These 2 things does create some risks imo. There are few prospects without risks. Granted, Schaefer looked better than all of them since Dahlin in limited games he played.

 

[SI90]

Injury is not a huge risk but he did lose significant development time. Also, many first pick D since Dahlin didn't really live up to status. These 2 things does create some risks imo. There are few prospects without risks. Granted Schaefer looked better than all of them since Dahlin in limited games he played.

He’s also really young. Days from next years draft. But I do agree he has only played the equivalent of 1 season between this year and last year. Not much playing time and experience

 

[boredmale]

I want Utah to draft him.

Given it looks like Hagens will probably still be on the board at 4, maybe the Islanders can work something out

 

[Doublechin]

Given it looks like Hagens will probably still be on the board at 4, maybe the Islanders can work something out

I mean imagine a talent such as Schaefer being available in the 2022 draft and the Habs trading the pick to drop a couple picks and draft Shane Wright

It would certainly be a choice but with Lou gone, I doubt there's such a narrative there

 

[TLEH]

Should go 1. I think it’ll be interesting where he plays next year.

 

[boredmale]

I mean imagine a talent such as Schaefer being available in the 2022 draft and the Habs trading the pick to drop a couple picks and draft Shane Wright

It would certainly be a choice but with Lou gone, I doubt there's such a narrative there

I think Hagen's dropping is being a bit overplayed. he had a very solid first year as a 18 year old in the NCAA(Wright on the other hand was a bit disappointing draft year). Also didn't Wright not have the greatest interviews?

 

[boredmale]

Should go 1. I think it’ll be interesting where he plays next year.

I would send him back one year, especially given his late birthday(Sept 5) where if he was born 11 days latter he would be int he 2026 draft. He needs a bit more seasoning given his injured plagued season this year. Maybe a 10 game try out though

 

[TheGreenTBer]

I would send him back one year, especially given his late birthday(Sept 5) where if he was born 11 days latter he would be int he 2026 draft. He needs a bit more seasoning given his injured plagued season this year. Maybe a 10 game try out though

Yup.

Give him 9 games, send him back to OHL and WJC. Nothing wrong with that.

 

[BKarchitect]

I am not a big prospect guy and I have only seen a few games of this guy but he plays like a veteran. The way he moves, adjusts and anticipates is NHL level already. There's no situation you can't play him in, he's going to eat minutes like a monster.

Bingo. The maturity level of this kid is just off the charts too. The stuff in life he has dealt with both on and off the ice and bounced back from stronger each time…it’s incredible and it’s going to get much more attention as this process moves on and folks start learning about him.

But I almost think describing him as a minutes muncher, all situations defender, while clearly praise - somewhat obscures the fact that this kid is an absolute dynamo with the skating and confidence to go end to end with the best. He’s not a “well he’s solid all around #2 type” - he’s absolutely going to be a #1 PP, high scoring engine.

 

[TLEH]

I would send him back one year, especially given his late birthday(Sept 5) where if he was born 11 days latter he would be int he 2026 draft. He needs a bit more seasoning given his injured plagued season this year. Maybe a 10 game try out though

NCAA imo but I might be biased.

 

[icelander25]

NCAA imo but I might be biased.

Same, hope he goes to NCAA. He’ll be able to get in the weight room and play some real competition. Plus the Isles probably would prefer that with all their top prospects in the NCAA lol.

 

[Doublechin]

I think Hagen's dropping is being a bit overplayed. he had a very solid first year as a 18 year old in the NCAA(Wright on the other hand was a bit disappointing draft year). Also didn't Wright not have the greatest interviews?

Wright started dropping before the interview and it's for the same reasons as Hagens where there wasn't an expected improvement from D-1 to draft year. Suddenly he was no longer seen as a play driver and his upside went from a franchise player to a top 6 center

Hagens had a very similar path here but isn't blessed with Wright's size. He also was surrounded with two best wingers in the NCAA if not the two best and couldn't really deliver

 

[BKarchitect]

Here's something else to consider.

Bobby Mac's recent scout poll had 9 of the 10 scouts with Schaefer at #1. Almost all scouting services have him at #1. A lot of fans are just now coming to the draft party and are not seeing a lot of hype about some generational prospect and the fan consensus is "it's very cloudy at the top". The truth is Schaefer, among scouting types, is clearly the #1 guy. Not overwhelmingly the #1 guy, but clearly.

Now, understand they are coming to this conclusion with a guy who played 22 games and 4 periods of the WJC (during which pre-injury he looked fabulous). If he doesn't have that broken clavicle - I fully believe this is already known as the "Schaefer draft" and this thread is on page 60, not page 18.

I get it. He's a defenseman. They historically don't get taken at #1 and even the top guys tend to take longer to "get results" from. Add in the injury. Add in that it is much easier for fans to sort scoring totals and go "goo-goo eyed" over mouthwatering forward counting stats. Offensive forwards are sexy. And yes - given the smaller sample size - there is inherently risk here, a bit of a leap of faith.

Now consider the character, determination and bounce back ability of the kid you are putting that faith in. Now consider that despite everything I just listed; almost all scouting services and scout polls STILL have him at #1.

I think this kid is special.

 

[Konk]

Here's something else to consider.

Bobby Mac's recent scout poll had 9 of the 10 scouts with Schaefer at #1. Almost all scouting services have him at #1. A lot of fans are just now coming to the draft party and are not seeing a lot of hype about some generational prospect and the fan consensus is "it's very cloudy at the top". The truth is Schaefer, among scouting types, is clearly the #1 guy. Not overwhelmingly the #1 guy, but clearly.

Now, understand they are coming to this conclusion with a guy who played 22 games and 4 periods of the WJC (during which pre-injury he looked fabulous). If he doesn't have that broken clavicle - I fully believe this is already known as the "Schaefer draft" and this thread is on page 60, not page 18.

I get it. He's a defenseman. They historically don't get taken at #1 and even the top guys tend to take longer to "get results" from. Add in the injury. Add in that it is much easier for fans to sort scoring totals and go "goo-goo eyed" over mouthwatering forward counting stats. Offensive forwards are sexy. And yes - given the smaller sample size - there is inherently risk here, a bit of a leap of faith.

Now consider the character, determination and bounce back ability of the kid you are putting that faith in. Now consider that despite everything I just listed; almost all scouting services and scout polls STILL have him at #1.

I think this kid is special.

You definitely get it. Not everyone else does yet.

 

[Fyodorov]

Wright started dropping because of the interview proc SS and it's for the same reasons as Hagens where there wasn't an expected improvement from D-1 to draft year. Suddenly he was no longer seen as a play driver and his upside went from a franchise player to a top 6 center

Hagens had a very similar path here but isn't blessed with Wright's size. He also was surrounded with two best wingers in the NCAA if not the two best and couldn't really deliver

I don't really think any of this narrative is accurate but this argument has been had a million times already on this forum.

I do think playing in the OHL and putting up 120+ points would have been better for his draft stock but pretty pointless for his development.

 

[Beniersgeron]

Im gonna get some heat for this, but are people just tired of hearing about Misa and Hagens and that Schaefer is the new fun toy? because personally I would not pass on Misa or Hagens for Schaefer.

 

[TheGreenTBer]

Im gonna get some heat for this, but are people just tired of hearing about Misa and Hagens and that Schaefer is the new fun toy? because personally I would not pass on Misa or Hagens for Schaefer.

I wouldn't pass on Schaefer for any forward in this draft.

 

[BKarchitect]

Im gonna get some heat for this, but are people just tired of hearing about Misa and Hagens and that Schaefer is the new fun toy? because personally I would not pass on Misa or Hagens for Schaefer.

I think it's the opposite - frankly. Schaefer has been out of sight, out of mind - and fans can easily go to EP and sort scoring totals and see guys like Misa and get excited about it. It's not the "fans" who are talking about Schaefer at #1 - fans seemingly want Misa or Hagens.

If anything - this thread and the amount of discussion about Schaefer is wholly underplays how good he is. The thing is, to be excited about Schaefer, you actually have to dig deeper.

 

[Roasted Nuts]

You definitely get it. Not everyone else does yet.

I think it’s just Islanders fans who haven’t realized Schaefers talent over the rest of the class. You can’t blame them either— they never entertained the possibility of drafting first overall in the first place! As for fans of tanking teams (like the Sharks), we are well aware of his talent and the justification for being drafted first overall.