Islanders Must Lock Up Schaefer Before His Value Skyrockets

Matthew Schaefer is emerging as a cornerstone piece for the New York Islanders, and the smart money says the organization should already be thinking about an extension before his market value explodes. Young defensemen with legitimate NHL pedigree don't stay affordable for long, and the Islanders know they need to build around their own talent rather than chase free agents. Waiting too long on this could turn into one of those "what if" decisions that haunts a franchise for years.