Islanders’ Matthew Schaefer Leaves Lasting Impression On Wild Players And Coach ‘He Should Be A Top-Three, Top-Five Player In The League’

Minnesota Wild players and head coach John Hynes offered high praise for New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer following Minnesota's 4-3 overtime loss on Thursday night. Defending standout Quinn Hughes suggested the 19-year-old could develop into a top-three to top-five player in the NHL, noting Schaefer's rare impact at an age when many top defensemen were still playing college hockey.

Schaefer scored twice in the victory, netting the first-period equalizer and the overtime winner. The decisive goal made him the first teenage defenseman in NHL history to record three career overtime goals, while his multi-goal performance tied Phil Housley for the most by a teenage blueliner in league history.