New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer could be in line for a hefty payday when his time comes, but right now, he says it's one of the furthest things from his mind.
"I'll let my agent think about that," Schaefer told NHL.com's Dave McCarthy on Monday. "I don't need to think about that, I'm still a kid, I'm still a year away from any of that. I love Long Island. We have something so special going on there. I don't care about the money. I just want to play the game of hockey and that's what I love."
The reigning Calder Trophy winner has two more seasons left on his entry-level contract. He'll be eligible to sign an extension July 1, 2027.
Young stars have been cashing in this offseason thanks to the NHL's skyrocketing salary cap. Leo Carlsson is making an NHL-high $18 million per season for the next five years, while Connor Bedard just signed a five-year deal with a $15-million average annual value.
By the time Schaefer becomes extension eligible, multiple players could be making $20 million per season. If the 2025 No. 1 pick can build off his superb debut campaign - in which he tied the NHL record for most goals by a rookie defenseman (23) and recorded the most points by an 18-year-old blue-liner (59) - then the sky is the limit for how much he could demand in contract negations.
But Schaefer said he's just grateful to be doing what he loves.
"If you're just playing hockey and having fun, that's all that matters honestly, and being with the right people, the right coaches, the right management," Schaefer said. "At the end of the day, it's family, and we want to create something super special on Long Island and we want to win the Stanley Cup. You just want to win a Cup and go as far as you can with the team."
The Islanders missed the playoffs with 91 points last season. They haven't won a Stanley Cup since capturing four straight from 1980-83.
