{"id":556596,"date":"2026-04-20T09:16:33","date_gmt":"2026-04-20T09:16:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/556596\/"},"modified":"2026-04-20T09:16:33","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T09:16:33","slug":"did-rangers-gm-provide-clue-about-braden-schneiders-future","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/556596\/","title":{"rendered":"Did Rangers GM provide clue about Braden Schneider’s future?"},"content":{"rendered":"

New York Rangers News<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\"avatar\"\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Chris Drury didn\u2019t provide many direct answers nor shed much light on key topics when speaking with reporters Friday at New York Rangers breakup day. But he may have tipped his hand about Braden Schneider\u2019s<\/a> future with the organization.<\/p>\n

Schneider, who turns 25 in September, is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights this summer, two years removed from unrestricted free agency. Faced with a similar situation with K\u2019Andre Miller last summer, the Rangers opted not to invest long-term in the former first-round pick and traded Miller to the Carolina Hurricanes<\/a>. Miller landed an eight-year, $60 million contract<\/a> with the Hurricanes after the trade.<\/p>\n

So, what about Schneider?<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s a terrific young right-shot defenseman, (and) we\u2019re excited he\u2019s part of our group,\u201d Drury stated<\/a>. \u201cWe think he\u2019s scratching the surface on what he can be in this league, and hope he\u2019s a Ranger for a long time.\u201d<\/p>\n

That sounds like a pretty ringing endorsement from the Rangers general manager. Unless, that is, he\u2019s sending a smokescreen, looking to pump up the defenseman\u2019s trade value. But taking Drury at his word, it appears there\u2019s a good chance Schneider is a part of the core moving forward.<\/p>\n

Of course, things aren\u2019t so clear cut with Schneider, who typically has poor underlying numbers and metrics, offsetting his many positive attributes. This season, he struggled mightily, especially when filling in on the top defense pair for 27 games when Adam Fox<\/a> was sidelined with a pair of injuries.<\/p>\n

\u201cI expected more from myself. I wish I had done a bit more to help us win, and that\u2019s something I\u2019ll be reflecting on and making sure next year is better,\u201d Schneider said Friday<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"NHL:Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Schneider averaged a career-high 20:27 TOI, third among Rangers defensemen<\/a>. His role increased, especially on the penalty kill, even before Fox was hurt, because coach Mike Sullivan believed Schneider no longer needed to be sheltered as much as he was his first four seasons.<\/p>\n

Per Natural Stat Trick<\/a>, Schneider had an ugly expected goal share 5v5 of 43.26 percent. The Rangers were outscored 63-54 at 5-on-5 with Schneider on the ice. Perhaps a more telling, and worrisome number, is that they allowed 100 more scoring chances than generated (663-563) with the 2020 No. 19 overall pick out there. He was also was on ice for the most high-danger goals against (28) and high-dangers scoring chances allowed (263) 5v5.<\/p>\n

Healthy after offseason shoulder surgery, Schneider led the Rangers <\/a>with 140 blocked shots, and was third with 163 hits. He was one of four Rangers to play all 82 games, and was voted as the 2025-26 Good Guy Award winner by the local beat writers.<\/p>\n

Braden Schneider \u2018very proud to be a Ranger\u2019 despite trade rumors, uncertain future<\/p>\n

His name\u2019s been in trade rumors for years, and that picked up even more amid Schneider\u2019s struggles this season and after Drury announced plans to retool back in January. <\/p>\n

But there\u2019s no question Schneider wants to be part of the solution on Broadway and remain with the Rangers.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s something that is out of my control. I love being a Ranger. I\u2019m very proud to be a Ranger, and it feels like home here. I know I\u2019ll be doing whatever I can to be the best player I can be, and I hope it\u2019s here,\u201d he stated. \u201cWhatever happens is going to happen. I\u2019m proud to be a Ranger, so that\u2019s where I\u2019ll leave that. We\u2019ll see what happens.\u201c<\/p>\n

\"NHL:Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Earlier on Friday, Sullivan told reporters that the Rangers must find another puck-moving defenseman this offseason. Schneider appeared to get the message. Once considered to be a strong part of his skill set, Schneider acknowledged improving in that area is an area of emphasis this summer.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think my execution of breaking pucks out, I need to be a bit better there,\u201d he explained. \u201cAnd i think on the offensive side of things, I need to get more pucks to the net, and be more of a player that can help produce more from the back end for the team.\u201d<\/p>\n

Despite the increased ice time, and power-play opportunities earlier in the season, Schneider scored a career-low two goals. He finished with 18 points. There seems to be more there for him to tap into offensively.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s just part of the equation Drury and Co. wrestle with this season, when deciding if Schneider is a long-term fixture, or more valuable to the Rangers with what assets his trade could bring back.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"avatar\"<\/p>\n

\t\tJim Cerny is Executive Editor at Forever Blueshirts and Managing Editor at Sportsnaut, with more than 30 years of … More about Jim Cerny<\/a><\/p>\n

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