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Why Rangers defenseman likely ‘feeling pretty good’ about uncertain future
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- Why Rangers defenseman likely ‘feeling pretty good’ about uncertain future
Braden Schneider may — or may not — be a member of the New York Rangers defense corps past the 2026-27 season. But either way, he's well-positioned to cash in with his next longer-term contract.
Schneider, who turns 25 in September, can become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights next summer and a UFA in 2028 . He just landed a significant raise — from a $2.2 million average annual value to $5.5 million — this offseason, giving him a strong base to work off of for his next contract.
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Despite the increased investment, the Rangers kicked the can down the road on deciding whether Schneider is a long-term fixture for the team. They agreed to only a one-year contract this summer, and completely revamped the second defense pair by trading for Marcus Pettersson and Sean Durzi , meaning Schneider is in line for third-pair duty this coming season.
"Schneider, to me, it certainly didn't feel like a vote of confidence," PuckPedia's Hart Levine t old Forever Blueshirts on the Rink Rap podcast. "Though I think he's happy to take a one-year deal at a pretty good number. … Even a No. 4 defenseman is going to making $6 million in a year or two. He's probably feeling pretty good that he's got some options ahead of him now."
Schneider and the Rangers have options and decisions ahead. By all accounts, Schneider loves playing in New York and appears committed to being here long term. The Rangers aren't sold on his untapped potential, disturbing analytics, nor inability to fully take advantage of his top-pair opportunity last season when Adam Fox missed 27 games in two extended injury absences.
After five NHL seasons, the Rangers simply expect more consistency and more production from Schneider, a first-round pick (No. 19 overall) in the 2020 NHL Draft. That's not to say there aren't things to like. He's still a durable, young, right-shot defenseman, who's a solid penalty killer, plays with physicality, led the Rangers with 140 blocked shots last season, and already has 368 games of NHL experience.
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But does he hold more value to the Rangers as a core player or as a very appealing tradeable asset?
That's the decision the Rangers must make before making a sizeable financial commitment.
"They have a real big decision to make there," Levine explained. "They've done quite a bit of surgery on their defense, it looks quite a bit different. So, where he slots in now is quite a bit different. But if it's less minutes and maybe the play improves, let's see what that does to his value."
PuckPedia founder 'wouldn't be shocked' if Rangers trade Braden Schneider 'by next summer'
Next summer, there's a good chance that Schneider is the No. 6 defenseman on the Rangers. That's assuming the top-four remain healthy and play to form, and adding in 2026 No. 5 overall pick Alberts Smits as a core member of the defense corps.
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Could the Rangers justify paying Schneider between $6-7 million annually (or more) on a longer-term contract as No. 6 on the depth chart? Even if he makes major strides this coming season? Can they pay him more than what top-pair lefty Vladislav Gavrikov makes ($7 million per season)?
"He signed a two-year deal, now a one-year deal, his contracts are getting shorter after his three-year entry-level deal," Levine stated. "No inside info, just looking at the tea leaves, I wouldn't be shocked if he's traded by next summer."
Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn ImagesCredit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
A caveat to that is if the Rangers envision Schneider moving into the top-four defensively and letting Durzi walk as a free agent in 2028. So, there's still a path for Schneider to remain in New York. But he needs to do some serious convincing in 2026-27 because next summer certainly feels like decision-making time for the Rangers.
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However, whether with the Rangers or some other club, one thing feels certain. Schneider's going to get paid.
The salary cap continues to rise in a major way. Young players in their early to mid 20s especially are cashing in. Schneieder's not a star, but he'll be pleased with his next contract.
Whether that's with the Rangers or not remains to be seen.
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