Reid Schaefer is a prototypical power forward who brings different appealing elements to the table. Few players shot up draft lists as rapidly and surprisingly as he did this season. His most attractive quality is the fact that he’s able to be effective in so many different ways. With his size and strength he loves to play a hard physical game, and he backs it up with an offensive toolkit that is improving rapidly. He can finish from a distance, as he has a heavy wrist shot and a lethal one-timer. There aren’t many players in this class who can shoot as well as he does. He has some accuracy to it, too. He is great on the cycle, using his body to shield the puck from defenders and create time for himself, and is happy to fight and grind in those kinds of situations. He has a real nose for the net, and has the knack for finishing up plays in tight. There’s no shying away from that area in his game. He is also a decent skater for a man his size. He gets plenty of power with each stride, and while he doesn’t have the greatest top speed, all that momentum behind him makes him hard to contain when he really gets going. He could still improve upon his balance and coordination, but those are usually things that take a bit more time for power forwards still trying to sort out their bodies. For such a big man he has surprisingly soft hands and is able maneuver the puck through or around closed gaps, although he is prone to the occasional bobble. He almost gets ahead of himself at times and leaves the puck behind. Is an intimidating and effective presence on the penalty kill. Schaefer oozes NHL potential. If he isn’t able to fully develop into a top-six forward he should have no trouble finding a role for himself in the bottom-six.

– FCHockey’s 2022 NHL Draft Guide