Matthew Schaefer, the player who would guarantee a Stanley Cup within 6 years (according to Simon Boisvert)
Jennifer DavisWe’re starting to hear about the next draft (even though it’s still months away) because the Canadiens aren’t having a good season.
Schaefer is a 6’2, 183-pound left-handed defenseman who stands out for his skating stroke.
We’re talking about a two-way defenseman… but he’s more than capable of producing offensively.
He collected 10 points (three goals) in eight OHL games this season, at the age of 17. That’s quite an output for a junior defenseman of his age.
Simon Boisvert talked about him on the recent episode of the Processus podcast (with Mathias Brunet), and to hear him tell it, the Canadiens should be targeting Schaefer instead of James Hagens.
Because, according to the Snake, Schaefer could take the Habs to the next level… And beyond:
I’m saying that the player Montreal should go after, and who’s guaranteed a Stanley Cup within the next 6 years, is Matthew Schaefer. – Simon Boisvert
In Simon Boisvert’s eyes, Schaefer is that good:
The Canadiens already have plenty of left-handed defensemen in their ranks, but they don’t necessarily have a left-handed defenseman who has the potential to become a complete #1 on the blue line.
Lane Hutson is excellent defensively, but he’s lacking defensively… And Kaiden Guhle is injured too often for that position to be secure for him in the future.
I’m talking about Porter Martone and Michael Misa.
The OHL’s top 2 scorers are 17-year-olds eligible for the 2025 draft.
Porter Martone is exactly the kind of player the #CHs are missing.
If the trend continues, they’ll be drafting in the top 5 in 2025 and that will be HUGE for the rebuild.#positive pic.twitter.com/fh7yQlMr3t
– Marc-Olivier Beaudoin (@MOBeaudoin1) November 11, 2024
He’s big (6’3 – 208 pounds) and he’s not afraid to use his body to create space for himself on the ice.
Oh, and he’s also capable of scoring beautiful goals.
He’s got good hands, he’s got a good shot… And that explains why he’s scored 16 goals in as many games so far this season:
Porter Martone with his 14th goal in his 12th game. Only Michael Misa has more among all CHLers pic.twitter.com/urU75n8Ut6
– Cam Robinson (@Hockey_Robinson) November 2, 2024
Misa is a little smaller than Martone (6’1 – 185 lbs.), but he’s got talent coming out of both ears.
We’re talking about a guy who received the exceptional status to play in the OHL at age 15… And that year, he collected no less than 56 points in just 45 games.
MICHAEL MISA ON THE BREAKAWAY!#NHLDraft eligible Michael Misa buries this one on a breakaway, tallying his 22nd goal of the season and tying it up at one for @SpiritHockey!!!#OHL | @CHLHockey pic.twitter.com/ensswRJhsk
– Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) November 10, 2024
That’s a boring question, but the answer is still months away.
Because let’s agree on one thing: things have a lot of time to change between now and then.
Overtime
– It goes without saying!
Nicklas Backstrom has given Dylan Strome advice on how to be Alex Ovechkin’s center: “He’s always very, very supportive and very kind to me ” https://t.co/o1WAgb9dxW
– RMNB (@rmnb) November 12, 2024
– I love it.
The cutest thing you’ll see today!
(: IG/matt9duchene) pic.twitter.com/cFGJGjXBxx
– NHL (@NHL) November 12, 2024
– MLB rumors:
Jordan Montgomery is rumored to be up for trade. https://t. co/tIdeJnnEky
– Passion MLB (@passion_mlb) November 12, 2024
– Not surprising.
Drone scandal: it’s over with Canada for Bev Priestmanhttps://t.co/QfHqYz3rNe
– TVA Sports (@TVASports) November 12, 2024