Matthew Schaefer eyes an early NHL challenge with legends Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin

David Schaefer, the Islanders’ top pick, faces a challenging NHL debut against hockey legends Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin. With Noah Dobson’s trade creating a defensive void, Schaefer’s path to the NHL accelerates. Coach Patrick Roy aims to rebuild with youth, hoping Schaefer’s early exposure to elite players will boost his development after recovering from injury.