‘I don’t care about the money’: Islanders’ Matthew Schaefer not worried about next contract

While a couple of the NHL’s top young stars are getting paid big bucks, the reigning rookie of the year isn’t letting the noise get to him.

When speaking to NHL.com’s Dave McCarthy at the Smilezone Foundation Celebrity Golf Tournament on Monday, New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer was asked about how the recent signings for Chicago Blackhawks forward Connor Bedard and Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson might affect his next contract.

Schaefer states that the thought hasn’t really crossed his mind.

“I’ll let my agent think about that. I don’t need to think about that,” Schaefer told McCarthy. “I’m still a kid. I’m still a year away from any of that. I love Long Island. We have something so special going on there.”

Carlsson and Bedard are going to be two of the highest-paid players in the league next season. Carlsson initially signed an offer sheet from the Philadelphia Flyers, with an AAV of $18 million across five years, making him the most expensive player in the NHL. The Ducks ended up matching the offer, keeping the Swede in Orange County. Bedard also signed a five-year deal, with a cap hit of $15 million.

Schaefer acknowledged that, whatever his next contract looks like, the dollar amount isn’t something he’s worrying about.

“I don’t care about the money. I just want to play the game of hockey, and that’s what I love. If you’re just playing hockey and having fun, that’s all that matters, honestly, and being with the right people, the right coaches, the right management.”

Schaefer is coming off an incredible first season with the Islanders. He set the record for the most goals by an 18-year-old defender, posting 23 goals in 82 games, tying the record for most goals by a rookie blueliner. With 59 points overall, the Hamilton, Ont. native won the Calder Trophy unanimously.

The Isles came close to making the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but came up short. Yet, Schaefer is optimistic the team has a bright future ahead.

“At the end of the day, it’s family. We want to create something super special on Long Island and we want to win the Stanley Cup. You just want to win a Cup and go as far as you can with the team.”