Exclusive: Mathew Barzal Talks Matthew Schaefer, Value of Living With A Vet
Mathew Barzal shares how the Islanders will support No. 1 pick Matthew Schaefer, stressing the value of living with a veteran in the NHL.
EAST MEADOW, NY — No. 1 overall pick Matthew Schaefer hasn’t yet decided who he’s going to live with just yet.
“I haven't really thought that far ahead. I’ve got options, and a lot of guys would be happy to take me in. But I think I just gotta take it step by step, make the team first, and then we'll go from there,” Schaefer told The Elmonters. “There is still main camp to go, still pre-season, so still lots of things to happen. Everything will fall into place.”
It’s 100% the correct answer. He is so focused on making this team. You can see it every time he does a drill — and talks to us — while sitting inside the prospect locker room.
“I think everyone is looking to earn that big spot in the locker room with the guys. We have a good group in here, too. It’s going ot be a great camp. I’m meeting a lot of new people — I met a lot of the older guys, so I’m meeting the new guys here — and I’m looking to get into that big room.
There’s a little bit better resources in that room. I’d say, the cold tubs and stuff.”
He’s hungry.
If and when he does make the team, Schaefer has an abundance of veteran leaders on this team who will make sure he’s taken care of, on and off the ice.
“He's in a great situation,” forward Mathew Barzal told The Elmonters. “He's gonna be just fine. He's a mature kid. He's an awesome hockey player. We got a great group in here. We're gonna treat him well, make sure he feels comfortable every day, and make sure he knows that he's our guy.”
When Barzal first broke into the NHL, he lived with Dennis Seidenberg and his family. For No. 13, that time was so beneficial. That’s why he’s happy to hear Schaefer is looking to live with a vet.
“I think it's a great idea that he's looking into that. And I think for me, when I was that age, it was more of just staying grounded. Eighteen is so young to live on your own and cook and do all that stuff,” Barzal said. “So, to just have support every day, come home, get your mind off hockey a little bit — it can be a lot for that age — and play with their kids and be around people is always nice. You stay out of your own head a little bit.”
Maturity is a word used constantly when describing Schaefer. The players certainly notice it.
“He’s a good kid. He's got a good head on his shoulders,” Barzal said. “He's talkative — he's not shy. He's just a good kid. He's a good human being. So, anytime you get those first overall picks, those top picks, you never know, but he seems humble and ready to work. So it's good.”
This entire summer has been a checklist for Schaefer, from getting drafted to completing development camp and then rookie camp. Now, during training camp, he’ll get to check that next box: Skate in first preseason game.
These games will be the ultimate test as to whether Schaefer can handle the physicality of the NHL. It’s hard to bet against this kid, so I surely won’t be.
He’s got all the tools. And not only is he talking to everyone possible to get better, but you can see him hearing something and implementing it right away, a minute later, in a drill.
There are reasons why these kinds of players get selected No. 1 overall. The work ethic is off the charts. Let’s see how preseason game one goes…
In my opinion the Islanders maybe one of the best teams in the league as far as locker rooms go. It’s filled with high character MEN. These dudes have families and responsibilities. Yes, we lack explosive top level talent. As far as mature top level people we have a ton. If you don’t think that is important look at the Patrick Liane Winnipeg situation. They drafted Liane and he took off like a Jet. He became a star in Winnipeg. Well that locker room wasn’t filled with high character men, it was filled with insecure, narcissistic, and mean people. Yes, the kid was a bit of a goofball and didn’t help himself fitting in. However the leaders on that team especially
Mark Scheifele and Blake Wheeler were somewhat responsible for that kid’s downfall. They were openly hostile and aggressive in sabotaging the kid. Hey your job as a vet and teammate is to support the young player while maximizing his productivity on the ice. It also includes teaching him over and over again about how to conduct himself on and off the ice. Liane was an immature ultra talented kid, he rubbed the vets in that locker room the wrong way, and they were jealous of the young rising superstar. In Schaefer’s case if he proves he is somewhat ready for the NHL keeping him the whole year isn’t an issue. Every dude in the Islanders locker room will mentor the young man and support him that is a guarantee. In my mind he might be better off playing a full year in the OHL, surrounded by his own family. Ultimately either way it’s going to be a successful year for the kid. Most importantly is the emotional support, hitting the weight room, eating sleeping and training properly. The kids going to be a stud. Everyone clamoring for Scott Mayfield to be traded should be thankful we have Scotty. I cannot think of a better partner for Schaefer than him. Scotty is a man’s man, no one is going to take advantage of the kid on the ice. Opponents know Scotty will answer the bell 🛎️ regardless of who is ringing it, and you know Matthew will be comfortable on the ice. Let’s see it’s a no lose situation really. Schaefer was lucky to be drafted by the Islanders for many reasons. Team is transitioning into a younger squad, but still have tremendous veteran leadership at various age levels. Perfect place Perfect Time, perfect prospect. Of course we also know Schaefer is as good a human being as he is a prospect. Dude the Draft and the way he reacted and the Islanders were in tune with the moment had every NHL fan a little misty eyed. It was an emotional real moment that was handed with total Class!
Personally I can’t wait to see the kid play doesn’t matter if it’s this year or next. Sometimes you leave a mature bottle of wine 🍷 on the rack for an additional year.