New York Islanders

Islanders Fans Will Love What Matthew Schaefer Just Said About His Next Contract

Matthew Schaefer had an resfreshing response that Islanders fans will love when asked about the AAV on his next contract.

by
NHL Trade Talk
July 22, 2026

With Connor Bedard and Leo Carlsson both locking in massive extensions this month — Bedard at five years and $15 million a season in Chicago, Carlsson at five years and $18 million in Anaheim — the hockey world immediately turned its attention to other players who could be looking at significant raises. There is Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith, Adam Fantilli and Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer.

Speaking with NHL.com’s Dave McCarthy at the 12th annual Smilezone Foundation Celebrity Golf Tournament, the reigning Calder Trophy winner was asked the question everyone wanted answered: what’s he thinking about his own next contract?

He responded, “I don’t care about the money. I just want to play the game of hockey, and that’s what I love.” Schaefer added, “I love Long Island; we have something so special going on there.”

He didn’t stop there.

“If you’re just playing hockey and having fun, that’s all that matters, honestly, and being with the right people, the right coaches, the right management,” he continued. “At the end of the day, it’s family, and we want to create something super special on Long Island, and we want to win the Stanley Cup. You just want to win a Cup and go as far as you can with the team.”

Why It Matters

Schaefer, 19, is still on his three-year entry-level contract and isn’t even eligible to sign an extension until July 1, 2027 — so this is all still hypothetical for now. But it won’t stay that way for long. The first-overall pick in the 2025 draft turned in one of the best rookie defenseman seasons in NHL history: 23 goals and 59 points in 82 games, tying Hall of Famer Brian Leetch‘s rookie record for goals by a blueliner, on his way to a unanimous Calder win.

That production is exactly why league agents are already floating numbers well north of what Bedard and Carlsson just signed for. Some have suggested Schaefer’s camp could eventually push into the $15-18 million range if he keeps this pace — territory that would make him one of the highest-paid defensemen in NHL history.

For now, though, the message is refreshing: he’s not thinking about the paycheck. He’s thinking about the Cup.

Next: Jason Robertson, Stars Avoid Arbitration With One-Year Deal