The New York Rangers have checked off another item on their summer agenda by securing depth defenseman Braden Schneider for the next two seasons. With several high-profile players nearing the end of their contracts next year, GM Chris Drury had limited flexibility to offer large contracts this year. Nevertheless, he managed the Schneider deal well, securing a solid, team-friendly bridge contract.
Rangers sign Schneider to a 2-year, $2.2 million deal
According to Elliotte Friedman, Schneider’s two-year contract has an average annual value of $2.2 million. With this deal, the Blueshirts now have just over $5 million in cap space to sign fellow defenseman Ryan Lindgren to a new contract.
The Schneider contract benefits both the organization and the player. At 22, Schneider has ample time to prove himself on this short-term deal and potentially secure a significant pay raise in two years. The low value also gives the Rangers more flexibility to extend larger contracts to upcoming 2025 free agents Alexis Lafreniere and Igor Shesterkin.
Braden Schneider and NYR have a deal
2 x $2.2M
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) July 13, 2024
What role will Schneider play this season?
With Schneider now secured for the upcoming season, it’s likely he will take on a larger role. He has spent most of his career on the Rangers’ third defensive pairing but may move up following the departure of Erik Gustafsson and the statistical decline of Jacob Trouba.
It will be interesting to see if Schneider teams up with K’Andre Miller as New York’s second defensive unit. Both are larger players with unique physical attributes and could become a formidable pair on the ice if Peter Laviolette chooses to give Schneider a more prominent role.
