amny
Matthew Schaefer may still be searching for his first goal of the 2026-27 campaign, but the New York Islanders' sophomore defenseman is confident that finding the back of the net is only a matter of time. The reason? A significantly harder shot.
According to NHL tracking data, the 19-year-old blue liner now possesses the 11th-hardest shot in the league this season, clocking in at 95.81 mph. That's nearly two mph faster than his hardest shot from his Calder Trophy-winning rookie year, which was 93.91 mph. His average shot speed has also seen a substantial jump, climbing from 67.71 mph last season to 72.4 mph through his first eight games of the new campaign.
Schaefer attributes the improvement to natural maturation and strength training. "It just comes with maturing and being in the gym," he told amNewYork. "I wouldn't say I'm working with anybody on my shot. When I'm out there, I like trying different things with my shot. I try to get it more accurate. But faster, more power — it comes with being in the gym and getting stronger."
He recalled his younger days when he obsessed over developing a hard shot. "When I was younger, I remember thinking 'I want to have such a hard shot,' but the more muscle you put on, the more weight, and the more flex you can put in that stick, I think the faster you go," Schaefer explained. "I remember when I was younger saying that 'I want to rip a puck,' and you're trying to do all these forearm exercises and things like that to get your arms a little bigger. But it's just about maturing over time."
Despite the uptick in velocity, Schaefer hasn't tinkered with his equipment. He continues to use the Warrior Covert QR7 Pro with a 95 flex, meaning it requires 95 pounds of pressure to bend the stick one inch. A stick with more flex allows a player to generate more force on their shot.
"I'm just trying to keep it going. Same thing," Schaefer said. "When you find something you like, you stick with it until you need something else. Maybe if I'm breaking too many. Knock on wood, it seems to be working right now."
Key Analysis
Schaefer's increased shot speed is a promising sign for the Islanders, who selected him with the first overall pick in 2025. While goals haven't come yet, his improved velocity and average shot speed suggest that positive regression is likely. The young defenseman's dedication to off-ice training is already paying dividends, and if his shot continues to develop, he could become one of the league's most dangerous threats from the blue line.
Originally reported by amny.