New York Islanders rookie Matthew Schaefer is a hot topic around the NHL at this time. The No. 1 pick in the 2025 NHL Draft has made an immediate impact for the Islanders so far this season. And he has acclimated himself well on Long Island. This includes his involvement in the rivalry between the Islanders and their intrastate rival, the New York Rangers.

Schaefer has taken the rivalry rather personally, and even brought it up off ice. He recently did an interview with NHL on TNT, where former Rangers goaltender Hendrik Lundqvist asked the first question. The rookie defenseman was hoping Liam McHugh, a Long Island native, would get the first crack at the interview, though.

“First off, it's pretty tough to get a Ranger asking the first question and not the Long Island native here.

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