Inside Wheeler’s Shocking Summer 2025 NHL Prospect Rankings: Who’s the True Future Star?
When you consider that Schaefer was less than two weeks away from being eligible for the 2026 draft, and the maturity and smarts that already exist in his game, there’s a lot to get excited about. But it’s his brilliant, frankly incredible skating (he’s the best-skating D prospect in the world for me) that really elevates his projection as a potential No. 1 D and two-way transition monster. He has great posture and glide. He’s a balanced and flowing skater with light edges and great posture on his heels skating backwards as well as his toes going forward. He’s mobile in all four directions. But his ability to fly north-south, transport pucks down ice, track back when he’s carried end-to-end, go back and get pucks and catch guys defensively is elite. He also manages play in front of him. He has a good stick and an ability to close out on carriers, be disruptive and then advance and steer play down the ice. He’ll occasionally overskate his gaps and close-outs and get beat one-on-one, but he recovers so effortlessly. His game is poised and efficient with the puck while also maintaining big-play upside. He’s mature beyond his years in terms of reads and decision-making. He’s competitive and leads by example. Schaefer looks like a projectable No. 1 defenseman who covers a ton of territory, can influence play in all four corners and three zones of the rink and is never in a bad spot because of his ability to flow and gallop across the ice.
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