NHL Shocker: Schaefer and Kravtsov’s Unexpected Moves Shake Up the League—What’s Next for Colangelo, Villenueve, and Khudobin?
The New York Islanders have officially locked down their prized first-overall pick from the 2025 NHL Draft, Matthew Schaefer. This promising young defenseman just inked a three-year entry-level deal that carries a $975,000 salary cap hit and an impressive average annual value of $4.475 million. The contract isn’t just a number on paper—Schaefer’s got an NHL base salary of $877,500, plus a signing bonus topping out at $97,500, with potential incentive bonuses that could swell his paycheck by up to $3.5 million through “A” and “B” bonuses. He’s not resting on his laurels either; in his own words, the grind’s just beginning as he battles for a spot on the Islanders roster. Should the jump to the NHL not materialize right away, Schaefer’s slated to return to the Erie Otters in the OHL, with NCAA eligibility off the table and AHL play still out of reach due to his age. It’s a critical juncture for the burgeoning talent, packed with exciting possibilities and challenges ahead. LEARN MORE
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