New York Rangers blueliner Braden Schneider was one of several players who filed for arbitration by Sunday’s 5 p.m. EDT deadline. A look at the list shows several prominent players, including Jason Robertson, Trevor Zegras, Jet Greaves etc. Dates for the individual hearings has yet to come out and more often than not, a deal is reached prior to meeting with the arbitrator.
Schneider filing for arbitration is really not that surprising. Both sides have struggled to find a figure that works both years and term. By filing, he removed the option of an offer sheet, though one was not going to be forthcoming. After the acquisition of a new second pair in Marcus Pettersson and Sean Durzi, Schednider is penciled in as the third pair, right side blueliner.
Schneider’s trajectory
A look at the above graph confirms what we know about Schneider. Very good in 2022-23 following his call up, followed by a slow steady decline and exceeding poor and disappointing play last season. We kept hoping for Schneider to show the form he displayed as a rookie, when the hype leading to and post his promotion was warranted. But he never regained that form, potentially partially impacted by change of systems and style. Though that seems to be a convenient excuse.
New York has about $7.9 mil in cap space. Schneider’s AAV in his recently expired contract was $2.2 mil and qualifying offer is $2.64 mil. The Rangers’ blueline depth was augmented by the drafting of Alberts Smits as one of five left-handed defensemen selected by the team. Smits might be ready this year and a view of of that readiness could play a significant part in what the organization does with Schneider.
What comes next?
My expectation is that Schneider signs a one-year deal prior to arbitration for between $3.5-4 million, giving New York around $3 mil to work with to sigh a middle-six winger. Beyond Smits, Urho Vaakaneinen and Vincent Iorio are next in line, presuming Matthew Robertson is on the left side of the third pairing. Drew Fortescue probably starts the year at Hartford while EJ Emery is still in college and would not ready if he was signed to his ELC.
Going long term with Schneider doesn’t appear in the cards. Maybe he signs for two years but even that is unlikely. A promising and hopeful start looks to be heading for a disappointing and unsatisfying ending.
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Tagged: New York Rangers, nhl