Top 2025 NHL Draft prospect Matthew Schaefer will meet with the New York Islanders on Tuesday, per NHL.com’s Michael Morreale [https://www.nhl.com/news/top-prospects-arrive-in-buffalo-for-2025-nhl-scouting-combine]. It looks like Schaefer’s already made an Islanders connection prior to this team meeting. Schaefer shared that not only he is being coached this summer by former NHL defenseman Mark Giordano, who played nearly 1,200 career games and won the Norris Trophy in 2019, he is also going to be skating with Islanders defensmean Adam Pelech this summer. Like Schaefer, Pelech played for the Erie Otters and they both share the same coach. Bryan Masrhall. It is common for players to train with others from their hometowns during the offseason, but in Schaefer’s case, he could be learning from both a former Norris Trophy winner and a possible future teammate. Many want to see Pelech, who has three yaeers left at $5.75 million whose full no-trade clause becomes a modified no-trade clause on July 1, moved out of town to make space for, potentiall, Schaefer, with Isaiah George and Alexander Romanov likely to make the NHL roster. We’ll see what the future holds for Schaefer, if he’s drafted by the Islanders and if the franchise deems he’s NHL-ready. He could go and either return to Juniors or go play collegiately. But, Pelech could be the perfect mentor for a guy like Schaefer in getting him not only acclimated to Long Island but just about what it means to be a pro and how to just be a stronger defenseman. Pelech’s ability, when on his game, to make subtle moves with his stick and skates to evade danger and start breakouts is something that seems to be a shared skill set with Schaefer. The Islanders will have the entire week to get to know Schaefer before having to make a choice on June 27 in Los Angeles. Stefen Rosner [https://x.com/stefen_rosner] contributed to this story. Stay updated with the most interesting Islanders stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw/sections/CAQqEAgAKgcICjCvqtILMO7F6QMwpuDfCA?ceid=CA:en&oc=3] to never miss a story. Photo Credit: MIKE COPPER/ERIE TIMES-NEWS / USA TODAY NETWORK
