On Sunday night, New York Islanders [http://thn.com/isles]. No. 1 overall pick Matthew Schaefer [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/matthew-schaefer-through-his-first-nine-nhl-games] went head-to-head with the NHL’s best defenseman, Colorado Avalanche’s Cale Makar [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/community/comparing-cale-makar-and-matthew-schaefer-s-rookie-seasons]. Sharing the ice for 5:38 minutes in a 4-1 loss, the Islanders held the Avalanche to just two shots on gaol, with Schaefer playing a huge role in that. Makar, a two-time Norris Trophy winner, is someone that Schaefer name-dropped as a comparison back when we spoke to the 18-year-old at the 2025 NHL Combine. Schaefer also dropped another name, a defenseman who he will be going up against on Tuesday night. "I like watching Cale Makar & Miro Heiskanen, two great guys with great hockey sense and great skating ability,” Schaefer said back in Buffalo. Miro Heiskanen [https://www.theelmonters.com/p/new-york-islanders-2025-nhl-draft-san-jose-sharks-matthew-schaefer], drafted by the Dallas Stars [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/dallas-stars] with the third pick in the 2017 NHL Draft, is one of the premier offensive-defensemen the NHL has to offer. Through 19 games, Heiskanen has three goals with 14 assists for 17 points, averaging 25:18 minutes per game. Through 19 games, Schaefer has seven goals, with eight assists for 15 points, averaging 22:24 minutes per game. The Stars have been a Stanley Cup contender for the last few seasons, and Heiskanen has been a major reason why. Schaefer will be the main reason why the Islanders get back to that status when they do. After battling Heiskanen and the Stars, Schaefer goes on to battle another elite defenseman, Mo Seider, and the Detroit Red Wings to conclude the Islanders’ seven-game winning streak. Puck drop between the Islanders and Stars comes your way at 8 PM ET on MSGSN2.
