Matthew Schaefer’s stall at Northwell Well being Ice Heart this week is in the identical spot as final week: within the auxiliary dressing room the place the Islanders put rookies and a few AHL gamers throughout coaching camp.
The message isn’t too delicate. Even when it’s all however assured that Schaefer can be on the 23-man roster come Oct. 9, the Islanders need him to earn it.
“I believe everybody’s seeking to earn that massive spot within the locker room with the [NHL] guys,” Schaefer stated after ending his first day of coaching camp Thursday. “We have now group in right here, too. It’s going to be a fantastic camp. … I met plenty of the older guys so I’m assembly plenty of new guys in right here and seeking to get within the massive room there. A little bit bit extra assets in that room, I’d say. Chilly tubs and stuff.”
Other than his trappings, although, there was little about Schaefer on Thursday to suggest he wasn’t already an NHL participant.
