New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer signs entry-level contract. Is the young star NHL-ready?
New York Islanders make waves with Matthew Schaefer’s emotional contract signing. Host Gil Martin breaks down the implications for Schaefer’s development, weighing NHL debut versus junior hockey experience. Trade rumors swirl around Adam Pelech as the Isles navigate defensive depth. Ryan Pulock’s contract lands on The Athletic’s “worst deals” list – but is it fair? Martin dissects the rankings and Pulock’s true value to the team.
Tune in for expert analysis on the Islanders’ roster moves and their impact on the upcoming season.
All this and more on today’s Locked On Islanders Podcast with Gil Martin.
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
GametimeToday’s episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNHL for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.
Monarch MoneyTake control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNHL at monarchmoney.com/lockedonnhl for 50% off your first year.
FanDuelToday’s episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Right now, new FanDuel customers can get $150 in Bonus Bets if your first $5 bet wins!
FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)
Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…
🎧 https://link.chtbl.com/LOIslanders?sid=YouTube
Locked On NHL League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Prospects & More
🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnNHL
And follow the show and Gil Martin on Twitter where he’ll share the latest news on your New York Islanders and will talk with fans like you.
On Twitter: https://twitter.com/LockedOnIsles
and https://twitter.com/icewarsnyrvsnyi
#Islanders #NYIslanders #NHL
12 Comments
now with elc signed isles could give schaefer a 9 game look then send him back to ohl where he will be tdl bait to a contender and play in meaningful games next spring. no ahl eligibility. so its isles or ohl in the fall. one more ohl season then isles at this point.
and a trade of 3 to relieve some long-term cap $$$'s and probably minimal take back would be a smart move at this point. dude is just about a pylon out there. and 6 an almost identical 3 type of deal among the nhl's worst contracts? say it aint so as they both age badly thanks to more louzer moments of insanity. did 18 or 11's fkn louzer deals make that list too?
Pelech is constantly hurt! He is not Dependable! His play not even close to what it was when the contract was signed! If you can trade him at anytime you trade him with only 15 teams on his list! We are in a retool! I will gladly deal Pelech and take my chances on Schaefer or George Regardless. Don’t really care what the return would be to get Pelech and his contract Gone! He has become glassman! One more hit to the head and he could be done in the NHL. Not taking that chance! Deal Pelech at anytime! Schaefer might actually encourage Pulock to up his game as Pulock is Schaefer’s right side partner
Good 🌄, Gil. How are you? IT'S SCHAFFER TIME. HE signed a 3 year entry level contract, he threw out the 1st pitch at a Mets game, even though the Mets lost, and he bonded with 20 kids who lost their mother. He's a good kid. What he did was ❤ warming. I think he can handle himself if he makes the Islanders; however, if he can't make it, send him back to Erie. I ❤ his attitude, and he wants to play in the NHL. The rumor mill is starting to spin, and this time it's Adam Pullock. He's not going anywhere unless Darche is offered everything but the kitchen sink, I WON'T BELIEVE IT. According to The Athletic, out of 10 worst contracts in the NHL, Ryan Pollock was the 7th worth. He's 30 years old, and his productivity is taking a hit. He has a $6.2M contract with a NTC Lou Lamoriellio's doing, of course. HAPPY 🎂, HUBIE MCDONOUGH. He scored 2 goals, one being a shorty in a blowout over the 🐧. Hear from you later, Gil, before I go, I finally finished 👀 the Islanders set their then league record 15 game winning streak. There was also bonus moments with the 🐧 from the 82 playoffs. Just when Bob Nystrom and JT were getting ready to save the dynasty, they ran out of tape. Also I 👀 Game 3 of the Patrick Division Finals against those dreaded Rangers at the Garden. It was a good game with Bourne getting 2 goals, Boss getting 1 goal, and Trots getting the GW in OT. Now, LET'S GO, ISLANDERS.
Loved that he threw out the first pitch with the Mets! Now, hopefully, they will start to play better. There are many teams in the NL creeping up on them in the wildcard race. As far as bad contracts, that's not the only one Lou was responsible for. Heading down to Saratoga Springs for the week, hopefully catch you from the road on Friday. LGI
hey dude you want my respect, go play with people in the NCAA, oh you do not want to go to college because you would be eaten alive. As far as i am concerned he is a 17 year old who got injured and became sickly and although i feel for him regarding his mom, i am tired of hearing about it, people die that is life, he is not the first child whose mom died. this guy will not be ready for years ( at least 2 ). Gil he will NOT stay in the NHL this season, bet on it. You fans think he is a savior, lets see how long we have to wait to see this savior play
Most likely he’s going to be sent back. 17 games last year, coming off an injury. Isles are a fringe playoff team at best. Why burn a year of his elc. He’s only 17. Rather continue to build through the draft with higher picks which means trading away veterans. We had a solid draft this year, but it’s going to take many more drafts like this one to keep the youth movement growing.
Isles should have traded Pelech some time ago. Also he is injury prone. Move him asap.
How do they know George and Schaffer aren't ready if they won't give them the chance? Let's see what they can do first.
I don’t think it makes sense to move Pelech now unless there’s an actually decent offer. Like you said, he can be a steady figure for Schaefer to learn under, and by the time we’re ready to contend for a cup, his contract will be nearing the tail end and the cap will be approaching $110 million.
That’s the same reason I don’t even feel the Pulock deal is that bad. Is he the offensive defenseman we thought he’d be? No. But I have a hard time believing he forgot how to defend. I know people age differently but it was as reason as 3-4 years ago that he and Pelech were regarded as one of the top shutdown pairs in the NHL. The entire team lost their structure last year, which caused the entire PK and D-core to look worse than I think they actually are. Is he probably too expensive? Yeah. But the cap is going up, he’s still only 30, and he’s not slow as bricks. If he can return to form on the defensive side of the puck, he can return to a net positive. And again, by the time we’re contending, he’ll still only be 32 and I think the decline was more mental than physical, which SHOULD hopefully be corrected with better structure.
And right-shot defensemen are hard to find. Let’s see what he can do now that Roy can coach the way he wants to without Lou over his shoulder.
Also, (and sorry for the essay Gil lol) what are your thoughts on George playing the right side? I know he started to work on it in Bridgeport, and if he can get comfortable on the right side, that’s a game changer for the future of the team. I personally really liked his game and he’s put on a lot of muscle this summer so he shouldn’t be getting bowled over as much, so hopefully he can crack the roster and we can see what he can do.
Im absolutely stoked about this is have complete faith that darche and roy will make the right decision come game 9
82 games for scheafer could be alot i say if scheafer looks good you keep pelech and split the time with scheafer and George if you can do that
Good morning team! Gil, what it means that Schaefer signed his deal is, the healing has begun. I'm excited for the future of our team, but let's see how he handles himself before we compare him to Potvin lol. Ready to kick the tires and light the fire. It's a great time to be an Islander fan. Improvement has to happen soon. I mean we can't get any worse than we have been. Well, actually we can, but I want to optimistic. Everyone, have a great day! Looking forward to seeing everyone again tomorrow. Until then.. Let's Go Islanders!!