The New York Islanders have some work to do with their roster for the team to take their performance to the next level on the ice.

However, the hardest thing to do is find a franchise building block. The Islanders have that box checked off courtesy of defenseman Matthew Schaefer . The No. 1 pick in the 2025 NHL Draft had a historic rookie campaign, being the unanimous selection for the Calder Trophy.

In Year 2, everyone wondered what he would do for an encore. Through 12 games, he has somehow managed to take his production to another level, producing in every facet of the game to lead the Islanders night in and night out.

There are certainly questions about the workload that he is being asked to carry by head coach Peter DeBoer.…