New York Islanders Sign 2025 First-Overall Draft Pick
The New York Islanders have wasted no time taking care of some internal business.
The Islanders have come to terms with 2025 first-overall draft pick Matthew Schaefer to a three-year, entry-level contract.
The #Isles signed #1 pick Matthew Schaefer to 3 year entry level contract. Deal is max eligible in all categories:
— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) August 4, 2025
NHL Salary: 877.5K
Signing Bonus: 97.5K
"A" bonuses 1M
"B" bonuses 2.5M
Cap hit 975K, AAV 4.475M
Rep'd by Pat Morris @TheHockeyAgency https://t.co/KvURN2cpzT
Schaefer turned heads within the organization at development camp and even received high praise from Mat Barzal, who compared Schaefer's game to Quinn Hughes and Cale Makar. Schaefer captivated audiences with his openness over his Mother's passing due to cancer, and the Islanders made quite the moment for the first pick, inviting 20 children who've lost a parent to present the 17-year-old with his official contract.
What a moment. 💙🧡
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) August 4, 2025
20 kids who have lost a parent were invited to meet Matthew Schaefer and were tasked with a big assignment, to give Schaefer his first NHL contract to sign. pic.twitter.com/KwYUw4rg4v
With his new contract, Schaefer will only be eligible to play for either the Islanders in the NHL, or Erie in the OHL, next season. He can play 9 regular-season games with New York at the start of 2025-26 before losing his junior eligibility.
Photo credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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