What if Sharks drafted Matthew Schaefer? NHL analyst shares stunning scenario
The San Jose Sharks finished the 2024-25 NHL season as the league’s weakest team, placed last with a 20-50-12 record and 52 points. That position gave them the best odds for the 2025 draft lottery, but luck did not follow. The New York Islanders jumped up to secure the first overall pick and drafted Matthew Schaefer.
During a recent episode of “The Sheet with Jeff Marek,” analysts Jeff Marek and Greg Wyshynski explored a different reality. They discussed what could have happened if San Jose had won the lottery and added Schaefer to its rising young core. The idea quickly turned into one of the most exciting “what if” scenarios.
MORE: Chris Pronger applauds Connor McDavid but raises concerns on Oilers Wyshynski pointed out that San Jose already had a franchise pillar in Macklin Celebrini . He argued that adding Schaefer to a group featuring Celebrini, Will Smith, and William Eklund could have created a dynamic core for the next decade. “I will say this, they [Sharks] don’t deserve him because they have Macklin Celebrini, hold on, because they have Macklin Celebrini, and that is enough to resuscitate the franchise and point the Sharks forward for at least the next decade,” Wyshynski said.
“Could you imagine Matthew Schaefer with Celebrini and Smith and Eklund and that team, my God. ” Wyshynski even compared the hypothetical duo to a modern version of Cale Makar and Nathan MacKinnon . “Could you find a better pick of youthful exuberance than Matthew Schaefer threading passes to Macklin Celebrini, the new Makar and MacKinnon for a new century,” Wyshynski said.
Marek agreed, saying, “Yeah, that would be amazing. That would be fantastic. ” Sharks new core and Islanders’ improved blue line San Jose Sharks center Will Smith (2) and center Macklin Celebrini (71) at SAP Center in San Jose.