Bettman Likes What He Sees in Islanders Prospect Matthew Schaefer

Gary Bettman is not exactly in the habit of handing out easy compliments, so when he talks up a young Islanders star, people around the league listen. Matthew Schaefer is already drawing attention for the kind of traits that tend to matter most to executives - the stuff that does not always show up in a highlight reel. The Islanders have spent years trying to find the right next wave, and this kind of public praise tells you the organization has some real buzz building.