Can The 2025 1st Overall Pick Change the NHL Forever?
Two weeks ago, the hockey world gasped when the New York Islanders strode to the podium and claimed Erie Otters blueliner Matthew Schaefer with the first selection of the 2025 Draft.
Fans cheered, rivals groaned, and analysts rushed to answer one question: Could an 18-year-old defenseman really swing the league’s balance of power? Today we dig deep—past the highlights, through the heartbreak—to discover whether Schaefer’s arrival marks a turning point for Long Island…and perhaps for the entire NHL. But his path to greatness is packed with twists most prospects never face, and the next few months will reveal if hype can survive reality.
5 Comments
It's the Islanders, they will find a way to fumble.
Part of the reason Islanders did the Dobson trade is because they hoped they could package the 16th and 17th pick for the 4th pick. It didn't work out because the draft was too weak and teams didn't want to drop that much.
Also i would be weary about giving the Norris to a prospect. Look at Griffin Reinhart, experts and scouts were saying he was guaranteed to win a Norris and it turned out he couldn't break an NHL roster.
I disagree with the idea that keeping a prospect at lower level for a year can stall their momentum. Never heard one player who suffered from it. But you often hear about how player's development have been stunted by being rushed in the NHL too fast.
8:10 Bryan Berard/Wade Redden. Chara went on to the Norris, but we didn't know he'd be that good.
Potvin wasn't just a number one defensemen; he was otherworldly.