The Athletic Hockey Show: Prospect Series
Episode: Matthew Schaefer is the Calder frontrunner
Date: October 24, 2025
Hosts: Max Bultman, Scott Wheeler, Corey Pronman
Overview
In this episode of The Athletic Hockey Show’s Prospect Series, Max Bultman, Scott Wheeler, and Corey Pronman dive into the early standouts and surprises from the start of the hockey season. The discussion centers around rookie phenom Matthew Schaefer’s explosive NHL debut and Calder Trophy buzz, but branches out to other rookies, prospects making unexpected leaps, and key developments across the NHL, CHL, and NCAA scenes. The hosts analyze who’s impressing, who’s underperforming, and what it all means for the futures of rebuilding teams.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Matthew Schaefer's Impactful Debut & Calder Front-Runner Status
- Corey Pronman highlights Schaefer's immediate influence:
"It's not just that he looks good. ... the immediate impact for a guy who was a couple of days away from being eligible for the 2026 draft, who didn't really play much hockey last season at 10 career OHL goals in his entire junior season and for him to step in right away." (02:25) - Schaefer’s rapid ascension sees him already challenging for a top power play role and logging major minutes.
- His rare rookie production for an 18-year-old defenseman earns comparisons to Dalene and Ekblad’s historic first years.
- The panel tempers the “Norris-before-end-of-ELC” hype but acknowledges how extraordinary his start has been.
- Scott Wheeler on media and coach hype:
"...they were talking about could Matthew Schaefer be on the Olympic team? ... just the fact that people are having that conversation...it’s pretty unbelievable." (04:16)
2. Other Notable NHL Rookie & Prospect Standouts
Emmett Finney — Out-of-nowhere Detroit Impact
- Detroit’s Emmett Finney has earned a first-line role after starting camp as an outsider.
- Max Bultman: "Not only is he on the team, he is on the first line and he is producing and a whole lot is going right for Emmett Finney right now with the Red Wings. He’s making a real impact for them." (06:42)
- Finney’s hockey sense and versatility universally praised, with the expectation being he carves out a valuable top-nine “Swiss Army knife” role in Detroit.
- His rapid path—from 7th round pick to NHL regular—draws comparisons to Andre Palat.
Rebuilding Trends: Anaheim Ducks & Chicago Blackhawks
- Anaheim’s improved puck possession and the emergence of Beckett Seney and Mason McTavish are changing the team’s fortunes. Leo Carlsson is praised for stepping up ("He looks like he might be taking a step here, becoming the guy we thought he could have been...” — Corey, 12:54).
- Chicago’s Spencer Knight (goalie) is showing he can be a foundational piece, with rookie Frank Nazar also shining.
- Corey highlights Anton Frondell’s monster draft+1 start in the SHL as a possible precursor to NHL stardom.
3. Standout Prospects in Junior & Europe
OHL & QMJHL Depth
- Brantford Bulldogs are described as “an incredibly deep talent pool...everything seems to be clicking” (Scott, 21:50)
- Multiple Bulldogs (Vaneker, Banach, Malhotra, Dennis, Jerich, PR) are highlighted as future national team candidates.
NCAA Surprises
- Michigan, led by newcomers from the CHL, is off to a 6-0 start and looking like a juggernaut, with Jack Ivankovic shining in net.
- Caveat expressed that non-conference results can be deceiving—conference play is the true test.
QMJHL’s Blaineville-Boisbriand Armada
- Justin Carbonneau “scoring just an insane clip right now” (Corey, 27:51) and could have an Anthony Mantha-like year.
- The team is predicted to be a force barring surprises.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On Schaefer’s potential, from an early Razzi prediction:
"One of Rossi's was Matthew Schaefer will win a Norris before the end of his ELC. I think I like laughed when he said it and now I'm like, ooh, I hope, I hope I didn't laugh too loud..." (Max, 05:57) -
Scott Wheeler on Olympic Team Hype:
"...I was listening to the radio here in Toronto a couple of days ago and they were talking about could Matthew Schaefer be on the Olympic team? Like these conversations have, have taken on a life of their own early on in the season. ...it's pretty unbelievable." (04:16) -
On Emmett Finney’s rise:
"If they got a legit NHL forward at the seventh round, that's the kind of pick that can really change the trajectory of your rebuild." (Corey, 11:17) -
On the Ducks’ young core:
"...those young guys are starting to develop physically and can create long stretches of even strength play where they have the puck." (Corey, 12:54) -
Scott Wheeler on the state of the OHL vs. WHL prospects:
"...it still does feel like you're looking at an OHL scoring table in terms of the top 10 or 20 guys or high end, high end prospects. So I think there's a little bit of that that has benefited Hurlburt. But if he keeps playing like this, I think teams are going to have to start to talk about him as a solid middle of the first round guy." (24:44)
Key Segments & Timestamps
- Matthew Schaefer’s standout NHL start / Calder conversation
(01:45–06:42) - Emmett Finney’s immediate impact in Detroit
(06:42–12:30) - State of the Anaheim Ducks & Blackhawks rebuilds
(12:30–17:57) - Rapid-fire round on hot prospects in other leagues
(17:57–19:14) - Deep dive: Brantford Bulldogs (OHL) prospect depth
(21:29–24:12) - NCAA/CHL recruiting impact & Michigan’s fast start
(29:30–32:59) - Mailbag: Calder frontrunners, prospect ownings, McKenna’s slow start
(33:56–47:43)
Mailbag Highlights
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On whether Ziv Bouilliam’s point pace is sustainable:
“I don't expect him to be a point per game player this year. I love Boyum, but that's probably not realistic.” (Corey, 34:33) -
On Calder favorites:
“The Calder conversation, I think, has to be led at this stage in the season by Matthew Schaefer. ... If I look beyond that ... I think Ivan Demidov is probably at the fringes of a top three. ... Alex Nikishin ... been a really, really solid addition to that blue line. ... I think you're probably looking at a lot of the D early on, honestly.” (Scott, 36:21) -
On underwhelming draft eligibles:
“Corey, Ryan Ruber, he’s been awful. Like just plain awful ... he’s starting to remind me a lot of Lyndon Lakovic in terms of how he’s looking this season with, with the compete issues.” (Corey, 38:51) -
On Gavin McKenna’s slow NCAA start compared to James Hagens:
“...I think the start has at least begged the question of is this guy the. No doubt for sure. No way he's not going number one or is he more like a. He's probably number one. But we'll see how the next few months goes, which I think is a fair assessment.” (Corey, 42:22)
Tone and Style
Conversation is sharp, analytical, and often playful, mixing deep prospect insight with self-aware humor about the tendency to overreact early in the season. The hosts are candid and don’t overhype, while acknowledging the excitement and surprises of early returns. The show’s language is technical but accessible to hockey fans.
Summary Table
| Time | Segment / Key Topic | Notable Quote(s) / Insight | |-----------|--------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------| | 01:45–06:42 | Matthew Schaefer’s NHL debut & Calder frontrunner | “It’s pretty unbelievable.” – Scott (04:16) | | 06:42–12:30 | Emmett Finney’s rise in Detroit | “He’s making a real impact for them.” – Max (06:42) | | 12:30–17:57 | Anaheim, Chicago, and the “rebuild club” | “...the Ducks could compete for a playoff spot this year.” – Corey (13:34) | | 17:57–21:29 | Trending prospects (KHL, AHL, SHL) | “Roman Cancerov now leads all U23 scorers in the KHL.” – Scott (17:57) | | 21:29–24:12 | Brantford Bulldogs and OHL depth | “An incredibly deep talent pool...” – Scott (21:50) | | 29:30–32:59 | Michigan NCAA surprise start | “They’ve been impressive early on...” – Scott (29:52) | | 33:56–47:43 | Mailbag: Calder, busts, McKenna, comps | “Gavin McKenna ... is a standard first overall pick.” – Corey (46:00) |
Conclusion
This episode provided a sweeping early-season look at hockey’s brightest young stars and surprise contributors, with an especially close focus on Matthew Schaefer’s remarkable arrival as a Calder Trophy favorite. The conversation captures why it’s both exhilarating and risky to read too far into October results, while also detailing which players, programs, and prospects are genuinely changing their teams’ outlooks and reputations.