New York Islanders rookie phenom Matthew Schaefer is the centre of attention ahead of Tuesday’s game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Schaefer is the runaway favourite to win this year’s Calder Trophy, while commanding the Islanders into a playoff spot.

This isn’t the first meeting between the Islanders and Maple Leafs. Schaefer dominated their previous matchup, scoring twice, including the overtime winner in a 4-3 victory over the Maple Leafs on January 3. He isn’t going to catch anyone by surprise this time around.

Maple Leafs forward John Tavares knows the pressure of starring on Long Island. Tavares was selected first overall by the Islanders in the 2009 NHL Draft and emerged as one of the franchise’s greatest players, before signing with the Maple Leafs in July 2018. Tavares was one of the greatest hockey prodigies of the 21st century, receiving exceptional status into the Canadian Hockey League, a rare designation that even eluded Schaefer. Tavares spoke about how the landscape has evolved for teenage phenoms over the past two decades.

“It’s pretty remarkable,” Tavares said of Schaefer’s rookie season. “He’s doing things only a handful of players have done. It’s extremely impressive. He’s not only a franchise player, but he’s put himself in the conversation of a generational type of talent. To be 18 years old and make the contributions he’s made for them, and how he’s played has been remarkable. We know the challenge he presents. He played extremely well the last time we played against him.”

Maple Leafs prospect Tyler Hopkins raved about Schaefer in a recent interview with TSN’s Mark Masters. Schaefer was happy to return the favour on Tuesday morning, in front of a large scrum of reporters gathered in the Islanders’ dressing room.

“He’s awesome,” Schaefer said of Hopkins, following the Islanders’ morning skate. “Great guy. Grew up playing with him. He’s one of my good buddies. He’s so good on the ice, but off the ice, he’s just an amazing guy. The Leafs got a good one.”

Schaefer is a transformative skater, who takes over games from the back end. He’s active off the rush and he has a keen sense of when to join the rush without sacrificing defensive positioning. Schaefer is playing over 24 minutes per game, and the Islanders are back in contention ahead of schedule because of their rookie defenceman.

“For me, it’s his hockey IQ and speed more than anything,” Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said of Schaefer on Tuesday morning. “For a young kid to be coming into this league like this, to be able to do what he’s doing, you have to have a very high hockey IQ. You have to have ability, which he has. His speed and ability is off the charts. Very impressive, very impressive.”

It wasn’t long ago that Schaefer was just another face in the crowd. Now, all eyes are on Schaefer, during what’s been one of the most impressive rookie campaigns in recent memory.