What Oilers’ Connor McDavid & Kris Knoblauch Had To Say About Matthew Schaefer

Oilers superstar Connor McDavid and head coach Kris Knoblauch share their thoughts on Islanders rookie Matthew Schaefer, the No. 1 overall pick who continues to impress across the league.

Stefen Rosner

The Elmonters

, and

David Kolb

Oct 15, 2025

EAST MEADOW, NY — With UBS Arena booked for a comedy show on Wednesday night, that meant Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers were practicing at Northwell Ice Center, the New York Islanders’ practice facility.

So, after the Islanders skated in the morning — I did make a quick run to All American since Ethan Sears of the New York Post had never had it — we headed back to the practice facility to chat with McDavid.

The best player in hockey and Islanders rookie phenom Matthew Schaefer do share a couple of things in common.

For starters, both were drafted first overall — McDavid, hearing his name called by Edmonton at the 2015 NHL Draft, while Schaefer heard his name called by the Islanders back in June.

Both also played their junior hockey with the OHL’s Erie Otters.

Here’s our chat with No. 97 on the Islanders’ newest No. 48, along with what Oilers head coach and former Otters head coach (2012–2017) Kris Knoblauch had to say:

Connor McDavid on Matthew Schaefer

Stefen Rosner: You know Matthew Schaefer a bit. What can you say about the person and the player?

Connor McDavid: “First off, he’s a great kid. He’s got a great personality. He brings a lot of energy. And as a player, it seems like he’s off to a great start himself, which is good to see. So, yeah, great player and a good kid. I haven’t seen too, too much of his games this season, just the highlights, but you are obviously paying attention to how he’s doing.”

Ethan Sears: You are someone who’s had to handle being in the spotlight since coming into the league, with the attention you get from the media and fans. And Schaefer will likely have to do the same for the rest of his career. What advice would you give him on handling all that?

Connor McDavid: “There’s always another guy coming up, another guy that’s going first overall, another highly touted player, and everybody handles it differently. He’s got a good head on his shoulders. He’s got a great personality. I think he’s gonna do just fine. My only advice would be just to enjoy it, because it goes really, really fast. It really, really does.”

Kris Knoblauch on Matthew Schaefer

Stefen Rosner: What do you know about Schaefer and his game?

Kris Knoblauch: “I’m familiar with him just a little bit, just with my ties to the Erie Otters, so I’ve been following him a little bit and hearing reports about him. But he’s a very smooth-skating defenseman who can move the puck extremely well, and a high-character, hard-working guy.”

Ethan Sears: Does it surprise you how much Schaefer is playing on a nightly basis?

Kris Knoblauch: “A little bit, it does. For a young player coming into the league, especially playing defense, it’s not an easy position to play as an 18-year-old. But obviously, he’s a very gifted player, and they feel he’s going to be a big part of their future in the long run, but also in the short term. Often, young players don’t get enough opportunity to show their skill, and obviously, he’s getting that opportunity and making the most out of it.”