Schaefer's Breakout Season: Hart Trophy Contender?

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New York Islander's rookie defenseman, Matthew Schaeffer, is having a breakout first

NHL season at just 18 years old.

He's second on the team with 47 points in 65 games and leads in time on ice at 24 minutes

18 seconds per game.

Schaeffer ties for the NHL lead among defensemen, with 20 goals and has four game winning goals,

including the Islanders' third in the Metropolitan Division, TNT analyst and

Hall of Famer, Wayne Gretzky, praise Schaeffer on Tuesday night, saying the young star belongs

in the conversation for the heart trophy, as the lead's most valuable player.

The Islanders drafted Schaeffer first overall last summer, even though he only played

26 games across all levels the prior year.

His calm under pressure and elite vision have made him a standout right away.

That said, if voting happened today, experts might pick others first for the heart.

Colorado's Nathan McKinnon tops the list as the most dynamic player on the NHL's best

team, followed closely by San Jose's Maclin Celebrini in his second year and Tevbe's

Nikita Kutcherov leading the East.

Still, Schaeffer is the Islander's top difference maker this season, turning around their fortunes

after a tough year.

Without him, they might miss the playoffs, and his potential keeps him in the mix for

awards down the road.

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