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As the New York Islanders look toward the future, a key question looms over defenseman Matthew Schaefer's upcoming contract eligibility. Schaefer becomes eligible for an extension on July 1, 2027, but NHL analyst Keith Kavanaugh believes the young star might not chase a historic payday.
During an appearance on The Sheet with Jeff Marek, Kavanaugh argued that Schaefer could prioritize roster construction over becoming the league's highest-paid player. This discussion follows Macklin Celebrini's recent five-year, $94 million extension with the San Jose Sharks, which set an NHL record with an $18.8 million average annual value, reshaping the market for elite young talents after similar deals for Leo Carlsson and Connor Bedard.
Key Analysis
Kavanaugh questioned who would next claim the top salary spot, suggesting it might not be Schaefer. He noted Schaefer's apparent inclination toward a reasonable-value contract, potentially taking a slight discount to allow the Islanders to build around him and allocate funds elsewhere. Despite this, Kavanaugh expects New York to move swiftly once eligibility opens, mirroring the Sharks' approach with Celebrini.
He also highlighted a growing trend among young players: opting for five-year deals that buy out only one unrestricted free-agent year, rather than the traditional seven- or eight-year maximums. This strategy allows players to re-enter the market at age 26, still in their prime. Schaefer's impressive rookie season, where he led rookie defensemen with 48 points and averaged over 22 minutes per game, gives the Islanders ample reason to act early, even as the team missed the playoffs after a late collapse.
Kavanaugh's projection aligns with New York's recent roster moves under new coach Peter DeBoer, including additions like Matias Maccelli, Vitek Vanecek, Matthew Kessel, and Ethan Bear. A team-friendly extension for Schaefer would provide valuable salary-cap flexibility while keeping the franchise defenseman central to their long-term vision.
Originally reported by yahoo.