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.
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.