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Connor Bedard's five-year, $15 million AAV extension to remain in Chicago and Leo Carlsson's five-year, $18 million deal with Anaheim have become the talk of the NHL this summer. Naturally, the conversation has shifted to the New York Islanders and what Matthew Schaefer's eventual second contract could look like.
For Schaefer, though, it's a conversation he's not ready to have.
Toronto correspondent Dave McCarthy of NHL.com caught up with the Islanders defenseman Monday at the 12th Annual Smilezone Foundation Celebrity Golf Tournament and asked whether the blockbuster contracts crossed his mind. Schaefer's response reflected the same grounded personality Islanders fans have come to appreciate.
"I'll let my agent think about that," Schaefer said. "I don't need to think about that. I'm still a kid, I'm still a year away from any of that."
Instead of discussing dollars, Schaefer immediately turned the conversation toward what matters most to him, that being hockey and the opportunity the Islanders organization has in front of them.
"I love Long Island, we have something so special going on there," Schaefer said. "I don't care about the money. I just want to play the game of hockey and that's what I love."
The 19-year-old went even further, emphasizing that success isn't measured by the size of a contract but by the people around you and the chance to compete for championships.
"If you're just playing hockey and having fun, that's all that matters honestly," Schaefer said. "Being with the right people, the right coaches, the right management. 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."
Eventually, contract negotiations will come. Given Schaefer's trajectory, they could become some of the most significant talks the Islanders have ever had. But for now, the franchise cornerstone isn't focused on salary figures.
He's focused on bringing the Stanley Cup back to Long Island.
That's a perfect response and exactly what Islanders fans want to hear.
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This article was originally published on eyesonisles.com as NY Islanders' Matthew Schaefer had the perfect response to Connor Bedard's $15M deal.
