Comparing Cale Makar and Matthew Schaefer's Rookie Seasons

Nov 16, 2025

The New York Islanders and Colorado Avalanche face off for the first time this season, and with it brings Cale Makar and Matthew Schaefer's first career matchup.

The two superstar defensemen are being compared after Schaefer's insanely good start to his career, and it's not that farfetched.

Here are their numbers through their first 18 games, when Makar was 21 and Schaefer is 18.

#GoAvsGo Cale Makar through first 18 career games (first 10 were playoffs):

13 points (one goal, 12 assists)

#Isles Matthew Schaefer through first 18 career games:

15 points (7 goals, 8 assists)

x.comStefen Rosner (@stefen_rosner) on X#GoAvsGo Cale Makar through first 18 career games (first 10 were playoffs): 13 points (one goal, 12 assists) #Isles Matthew Schaefer through first 18 career games: 15 points (7 goals, 8 assists)