NY Islanders Vet Confident Matthew Schaefer Will Eventually Be Captain

A New York Islanders player believes it is only a matter of time until Matthew Schaefer is captain of the team.

Mar 4, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer (48) skates with the puck during the third period against the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images / IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The biggest move that the New York Islanders roster underwent this offseason was the loss of Anders Lee.

A 14-year veteran, the Islanders are losing a lot more than just a productive forward. He brought toughness and leadership to the locker room, leading by example as the team’s captain for the final eight years of his tenure with the franchise.

Now that he has signed a three-year contract with the Utah Mammoth in free agency, there is a massive void to fill within the team. Free agent signing Matias Maccelli will help replace what Lee brought to the team, production-wise, on the ice, but someone will have to step up into the captaincy.

While no decision has been made yet, count Bo Horvat as one of the players who believes it is only a matter of when, not if, defenseman Matthew Schaefer is given the title and he wears the “C” on his uniform.

Bo Horvat confident Matthew Schaefer will be Islanders captain soon

Dec 2, 2025; Elmont, New York, USA; New York Islanders center Bo Horvat (14) celebrates his goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning with defenseman Matthew Schaefer (48) during the second period at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images / IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

"There's no doubt in my mind that he's going to be the captain of that team in the very near future," said Horvat, via Jon Lane of NHL.com. "Even if it's not right away, sometime in the future with how good of a person he is, and just how much Long Island loves him, and how much they need him as well."

Horvat, a 12-year NHL veteran, certainly knows what it takes for a player to be captain of the team. He held that title with the Vancouver Canucks from 2019-2023 before the Islanders acquired him in a trade.

Set to turn only 19 years old on Sept. 5, Schaefer has made an incredible impression on everyone within the organization during a historic rookie campaign. He was the unanimous winner of the Calder Trophy as the top rookie in the NHL, tying Brian Leetch’s record for goals by a rookie defenseman with 23.

Matthew Schaefer has all the tools to be great captain

Oct 11, 2025; Elmont, New York, USA; New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer (48) skates against the Washington Capitals during the second period at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images / IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

It is rare for teenagers to be under consideration for captain roles, but that is part of what makes him so special; not only is he productive on the ice, he already exhibits the leadership skills of a seasoned veteran despite having only 82 NHL games on his resume.

Horvat isn’t alone in that line of thinking. Franchise legend Bryan Trotteir has also weighed in on who should replace Lee as captain and believes that Schaefer is ready for such a role despite his youth.

Whether or not Schaefer is selected as captain this year, Horvat is right; it is only a matter of time until that role is his, and it is one that he is going to hold onto for a very long time after that.