Fischler: Schaefer More Like Orr Than Potvin
The Maven reflects on Bobby Orr’s greatness and why Islanders rookie Matthew Schaefer deserves to be appreciated on his own terms.
By Stan Fischer: When I worked with Islanders defenseman Denis Potvin on his book, “Power On Ice,” one of the captain’s comments stuck with me.
“I hated the fact that before I got drafted, the media already was saying, ‘He’s the next Bobby Orr.”
Then, a pause: “Over and over, I told the writers that I’m my own man, Denis Potvin, not the ‘Next Anybody.”
Matthew Schaefer can’t help it. Less than two months into the season, the Islanders’ whiz-kid defenseman has orbited in the National Hockey League galaxy so speedily that there’s simply no way he can plug the flood of praise.