The Rangers have agreed to terms with one of their remaining restricted free agents. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports (Twitter link) that they have reached a two-year contract with defenseman Braden Schneider, which carries an AAV of $2.2MM. PuckPedia adds (Twitter link) that the agreement pays $1.76MM in 2024-25 and $2.64MM in 2025-26. That last number will serve as his qualifying offer in 2026 where he will have salary arbitration eligibility.
The 22-year-old was a first-round pick by New York in 2020, going 19th overall. He has been a full-time NHL regular since partway through his rookie professional season, giving him more than 200 career NHL appearances which is something that can’t be said for many players exiting their entry-level pacts.
However, Schneider has had a very limited role in his first three seasons. Last season, he played in all 82 games, notching 19 points along with 133 blocks and 167 hits. However, his playing time remained below the 16-minute mark, a number he has yet to surpass in those three years. Notably, even as a physical defensive defender, Schneider barely averaged one minute per game in shorthanded situations last season.
Between limited offensive output and what has basically been a permanent spot on the third pairing so far, a bridge contract was the only logical outcome for both sides. Schneider will need to play his way into a top-four opportunity over the next couple of years before he’ll have a chance to command a longer-term, bigger-money agreement.
With this signing, New York now has a little over $5.1MM in cap space, per PuckPedia. The majority of that will be earmarked for their last remaining restricted free agent, defenseman Ryan Lindgren. The 26-year-old filed for salary arbitration earlier this month with a hearing date yet to be set.
Lohud’s Vince Z. Mercogliano reported earlier this week that the two sides were making progress on a bridge agreement.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
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