Islanders veterans keeping eye on Matthew Schaefer and Marshall Warren
Matthew Schaefer of the Islanders shoots the puck during the third period against the Detroit Red Wings at UBS Arena on Thursday. Credit: Jim McIsaac
BOSTON — Two of the Islanders’ six defensemen were again rookies on Tuesday night against the Bruins at TD Garden with Laurel Hollow’s Marshall Warren playing in his second NHL game and No. 1 overall pick Matthew Schaefer already the team’s most dynamic blue-liner.
It’s a promising sign for the organization’s future, since getting younger and faster is always a must in the NHL. But it also comes with responsibilities for the veteran defensemen, who must protect their new teammates and protect their own jobs.
The Flyers got overly physical with Schaefer as the Islanders opened their four-game road trip with a 4-3 shootout loss on Saturday afternoon, with the match also featuring Warren’s two-assist NHL debut.
But the Islanders have been quick to confront any opponent who comes at the 18-year-old Schaefer — Warren, at 24, is physically more mature — just as they’ve come to appreciate the contributions from both.
“We all know how it works, if they come in and outplay us, they deserve to stay,” said Tony DeAngelo, paired with Warren. “As far as an organization thing, it’s a good thing for them. Eventually, they all move into their roles where they deserve to be. Right now, we’re just thinking who can help us win games and Schaefer, especially, and Marshall are both doing so.
“If they ever ask me for advice, I don’t like to push on guys too much. I like to let them do their thing. Marshall’s 24 years old, I’m not going to bother him. I want him to go play his game. That’s what I told him, ‘You don’t hear anything from me. No need to apologize for any play you make.’ ”
Warren earned a chance to stay in the lineup with a memorable debut in Philadelphia.
But coming to TD Garden was also special for Warren, who played four seasons at Boston College and played in the building during the Beanpot tournament.
“I think three or four games,” Warren said. “It’s cool to be back here. I sat in this locker room during the Beanpot. Unfortunately, I never got to win it, but it’s a cool tournament. TD Garden is always cool.”
On a personal level, Tuesday was special for Warren because his father, Lewis, saw him play in the NHL in person for the first time. Lewis Warren missed Saturday’s match to be with Marshall Warren’s grandfather, who remains hospitalized.
“My dad’s coming up, so I’m pumped for that and it’s his birthday today, too,” Warren said. “It’s kind of weird how God works. I’m really pumped to see him after the game and just give him a hug. I miss him.”
Schaefer played in his ninth NHL game — his 10th on Thursday night against the Hurricanes will trigger the first season of his entry-level contract — and is not taking a down-the-road view of his or Warren’s career yet.
But he acknowledged the possibility the two of them could remain Islanders teammates for the long term.
“A hundred percent,” Schaefer said. “You don’t really look that far down the road, that’s super far down the road. We’re just focused on right now. But, yeah, potentially that could be a thing. You never know.”
As to how his teammates have quickly defended him, Schaefer said on Saturday he knows there will be games when opponents are coming after him and called it “fun.” Scott Mayfield, Schaefer’s defense partner, dropped the gloves with the Flyers’ Garnet Hathaway in the first period after a hard check on Schaefer.
“I think every team will [defend younger teammates],” DeAngelo said. “We’ve got a first overall pick, we’re not just going to let guys run around. Scotty did a great job there. Hathaway was playing his game, wasn’t doing anything wrong. Scotty made sure to send a little message.”
Notes & quotes: Defenseman Alexander Romanov (upper body/injured reserve) participated in the morning skate but coach Patrick Roy said there was no update on his timeline to return. Romanov missed his fifth game and is eligible to be activated. “We’ll see how he feels when he gets more contact,” Roy said . . . Rookie forward Max Shabanov (upper body) missed his third game and is not traveling with the team . . . Defenseman Adam Boqvist was the healthy scratch.
Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.
More Islanders
