NHL EDGE stats comparison: Makar vs. Schaefer

NHL.com's fantasy staff continues to cover the latest trends and storylines in the League through the lens of NHL EDGE puck and player tracker stats. Today, we compare the underlying metrics of defensemen Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche and rookie Matthew Schaefer of the New York Islanders ahead of their second NHL matchup on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; MSGSN, KTVD, ALT).

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New York Islanders rookie Matthew Schaefer, at 18 years old, is already drawing comparisons to Colorado Avalanche superstar Cale Makar, who’s widely viewed as the NHL's best defenseman.

Schaefer, the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, ranks fourth among all defensemen in goals (eight), with one fewer than Makar (nine; tied for second behind Jakob Chychrun's 10), in his first season. Schaefer is tied for the rookie lead in goals and has the most power-play goals (four), power-play points (nine) and shots on goal (74 in 27 games) in his class. Makar, the No. 4 pick in the 2017 NHL Draft, leads all defensemen in points (32 in 26 games) this season, while Schaefer is tied for 14th at the position.

Entering Thursday, Schaefer (19 points) is tied with Ray Bourque for the second-most points by an 18-year-old defenseman through his first 27 career games, trailing Phil Housley (21 in 1982-83). Schaefer will not turn 19 until next September, and has already become the youngest player in NHL history to score a regular-season overtime goal (18 years, 101 days), overtaking Pittsburgh Penguins forward Sidney Crosby (18 years, 101 days). Schaefer is also the youngest defenseman in history with a multigoal game, a mark previously held by Bobby Orr of the Boston Bruins (18 years, 248 days) since Nov. 23, 1966.

The immediate impact for Schaefer brings back memories of Makar, who made his NHL debut at 20 years old during the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs and scored his first NHL goal in that game against the Calgary Flames. That early milestone came only three days after Makar won the Hobey Baker Award as the top player in NCAA hockey. Makar is tied with Paul Coffey for second among defensemen in career points per game (1.09) during the regular season (minimum 200 games) behind Orr (1.39).

Makar’s trophy case is already among the all-time greats at 27 years old; he has won the Calder Trophy (2020), Norris Trophy twice (2022, 2025), Stanley Cup (2022) and Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player of that postseason during the Avalanche’s championship run.

Here are three comparable underlying metrics between Makar and Schaefer:

1. Skating speed

Schaefer, as a rookie, leads all defensemen in 20-plus mile per hour speed bursts (95) this season. Makar ranks fourth in that category (63) behind Schaefer, Jake Sanderson of the Ottawa Senators (86) and Olen Zellweger of the Anaheim Ducks (76). Makar has the second highest max skating speed among defensemen (23.68 mph; behind Nikita Zadorov's 23.84), and Schaefer is not far behind (22.93 mph; 96th percentile at position).

In terms of 22-plus mph speed bursts, Schaefer is second among defensemen (10), while Makar (eight) is tied with Erik Karlsson of the Pittsburgh Penguins for third; the only player at the position with more is Sanderson (11). In terms of total skating distance this season, Makar (94.08 miles; 99th percentile) ranks ninth among defensemen and just ahead of Schaefer (93.33; 96th percentile at position). In terms of power-play skating distance, Makar (17.10 miles; leads position) and Schaefer (14.19 miles; sixth) are among the defenseman leaders.

2. Shot speed

In terms of hardest shot, Schaefer (93.91 mph) is slightly ahead of Makar (93.90) this season. Makar, who’s in his seventh NHL season, is also a standout in average shot speed (71.74 mph; 88th percentile among defensemen), while Schaefer (66.73) ranks slightly below the League average at his position (67.76).

Makar ranks just outside of the top 10 in 90-plus mph shot attempts this season (11; 97th percentile); Schaefer has had two such attempts so far. In terms of 80-plus mph shot attempts, Makar (39) also leads Schaefer (23).

3. Shots by location

Schaefer and Makar rank in the top 10 among defensemen in both high-danger and midrange shots on goal. Here is the full shots by location comparison between Makar and Schaefer (along with their ranks among defensemen):

High-danger shots on goal:
• Schaefer: 8 (tied for third; 99th percentile)
• Makar: 8 (tied for third; 99th percentile)

Midrange shots on goal:
• Schaefer: 24 (tied for third; 99th percentile)
• Makar: 22 (sixth; 98th percentile)

Long-range shots on goal:
• Makar: 36 (tied for fifth; 98th percentile)
• Schaefer: 32 (tied for 10th; 96th percentile)

Schaefer and Makar are tied for fifth among defensemen in high-danger goals (two) this season, while Makar has scored more midrange goals (four; tied for second at position behind Zach Werenski's six) than Schaefer (three; tied for sixth at position). Their offensive zone time percentages are also strikingly similar, with Makar (44.9; 88th percentile among defensemen) having a narrow advantage over Schaefer (44.6; 86th percentile).

In terms of average ice time, Makar (25:15 per game; sixth in NHL) and Schaefer (23:22) lead their respective teams this season. In terms of 5-on-5 shot attempts, Makar (plus-87) has a better differential than Schaefer (plus-51), but the comparison is much closer in terms of takeaways (Makar 15, Schaefer 10).

Makar had the only point (primary assist) between these two defensemen in their first NHL matchup on Nov. 16 (Avalanche defeated Islanders, 4-1), but Makar and Schaefer had the same number of 20-plus mph speed bursts (four) and 70-plus mph shot attempts (five) in the game.

Schaefer having comparable surface-level and advanced metrics to Makar at such a young age shows he has an extremely high ceiling at his position -- and also that these Canada-born defensemen could be compared to each other for many years to come.

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