Islanders top pick Matthew Schaefer headlines NHL rookies to watch

Matthew Schaefer being the first NHL No. 1 pick out of the Ontario Hockey League since Connor McDavid in 2015 is pressure enough. Then there’s following Connor Bedard and Macklin Celebrini into the league.

Bedard with Chicago and Celebrini with San Jose immediately were put into prominent roles. Bedard won the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year, and Celebrini finished third in the voting.

Taken atop the draft by the New York Islanders, Schaefer may not be in that conversation this season, through little fault of his own. He is a defenseman, a position that traditionally requires a longer, steeper learning curve, and the team is not going to rush a potential franchise cornerstone of the future.

“We’re going to give him time,” said coach Patrick Roy, who made the all-rookie team as a goaltender on the way to the Hall of Fame. “We’re going to be extremely patient with him.”

Schaefer, who just turned 18 on Sept. 5, is not alone, as most of the top picks in this year’s draft need more experience. A look at the top of the NHL’s rookie class:

Matthew Schaefer, Islanders

Roy was Colorado’s coach in 2013 when Nathan MacKinnon was the top pick with big expectations. Roy said he plans to follow a similar approach, starting Schaefer lower in the lineup and getting the chance to earn more ice time.

Schaefer opened training camp on the third defensive pair alongside veteran Scott Mayfield.

“My ears are wide open for him to let me know what I need to do better,” Schaefer said.

Ivan Demidov, Canadiens

How much did hockey-mad Montreal care about Demidov signing an NHL contract and arriving from Russia late last season? There was a livestream dedicated to his international flight landing in Toronto on the way to join the team.

“I was like, ‘Oh man, this is crazy,’ ” captain Nick Suzuki said.

Demidov, the fifth pick in the 2024 draft, got a head start by playing in two regular-season and five playoff games last spring. He is the prohibitive Calder favorite, according to BetMGM Sportsbook.

Michael Misa, Sharks

The second pick behind Schaefer joins a talented young core in San Jose headlined by Celebrini and Will Smith.

“He’s an awesome kid,” Celebrini said. “There’s a reason he went second overall. He’s a special player.”

Misa upon getting drafted said he intended to play in the NHL right away. General manager Mike Grier expects Misa’s play to dictate that.

Ryan Leonard, Capitals

Like Demidov, Leonard broke into the NHL late last season, playing a total of 17 games as Alex Ovechkin broke the career goals record and Washington reached the second round of the playoffs.

Leonard had just two assists, but he’s now counted on to be a regular contributor for the Capitals, even if his mindset was just to earn a roster spot.

“Nothing’s guaranteed, so just going out there and try to prove that I can make the team and play at the level,” Leonard said.