Matthew Schaefer and other top
draft picks make NHL season-opening rosters
[October 07, 2025]
By STEPHEN WHYNO
The NHL's season-opening rosters are in, and they include three of
the top five picks from the most recent draft.
No. 1 choice Matthew Schaefer made the New York Islanders after a
strong training camp, No. 2 Michael Misa will start with the San
Jose Sharks and No. 5 Brady Martin has gone from his family's farm
in Elora, Ontario, to the first line with the Nashville Predators.
“You’ve seen teams having young guys, they keep them up and they
manage the workload,” Islanders first-year general manager Mathieu
Darche said Monday.
Schaefer, a smooth-skating defenseman who turned 18 on Sept. 5, is
getting eased in, though there was little doubt about him sticking
on Long Island and not returning to his junior team in Erie. Darche
confirmed that Schaefer will be in the lineup Thursday night at
Pittsburgh.
“He's completely earned his spot on the team,” Darche said. “He's
ready for this. And then we’ll start the season and see where it
goes at this point. ... The way he’s going to play is going to
dictate what we do.”
San Jose's final few cuts left Misa and 2024 No. 11 pick Sam
Dickinson to add to the rebuilding club's youth movement. The Sharks
finished last in the NHL last season when Macklin Celebrini and Will
Smith were rookies and are again projected to miss the playoffs,
though the long-term future is bright.
With Nashville trying to climb back into contender status, Martin
skated alongside Filip Forsberg and Ryan O'Reilly at practice
Monday.
It had become clear at Rangers practices that versatile forward
Conor Sheary was on track to make the team after attending camp on a
professional tryout agreement. Sheary won the Stanley Cup in 2016
and '17 when New York coach Mike Sullivan was with the Penguins.
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Matthew Schaefer, drafted first by the New York Islanders, middle,
stands between Michael Misa, drafted second by the San Jose Sharks,
left, and Anton Frondell, drafted third by the Chicago Blackhawks,
during the NHL hockey draft June 27, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP
Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)
Sheary signed a two-way contract worth the
league-minimum $775,000, according to a person familiar with the
deal who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity
because financial terms were not disclosed. Brett Berard was sent to
Hartford of the American Hockey League to make room under the salary
cap.
"There’s a lot of pressure on players when they’re on a PTO and
obviously a lot of uncertainty, so you’re just happy for guys when
they work so hard," Rangers Hall of Fame goaltender-turned-TNT
analyst Henrik Lundqvist said in a video call with the AP. “You’re
happy for a guy like that, for sure, when you put in the hours and
preparation to try to make it.”
Veteran defenseman Matt Grzelcyk also signed with Chicago after his
PTO, getting $1 million for the season from the Blackhawks. Kevin
Rooney signed for the league minimum with Utah after trying out at
New Jersey's camp.
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