BUFFALO — It would be hard to find a 17-year-old more in his element than Matthew Schaefer at the NHL scouting combine.

This wiry defenseman, yet to officially graduate high school, can riff and reel and own the room like nobody’s business.

He rocketed up draft boards this year, and though general manager Mathieu Darche didn’t want to comment on any specific interviews the Islanders had, it’s near-impossible to think Schaefer didn’t impress any team he spoke with.

“I’d love to be an Islander,” said Schaefer, the current favorite to be taken with the top pick June 27 in Los Angeles. “I’d love to go first overall. Now, it’s really in their hands and what the team wants. I just got to focus on the rest of the combine, my testing tomorrow. Take it day by day, and when the draft day comes, I’ll be super excited.”