Rangers Daily: ‘Baby Trouba’ back with a bang; Golden Knights injury woes
When Braden Schneider blew up Marcus Foligno with a massive open-ice hit in the New York Rangers’ 3-1 loss to the Minnesota Wild on Monday, it erased any doubt that the defenseman is fully back after offseason shoulder surgery.
Schneider steamrolled Foligno and sent the 6-foot-3, 226-pound Wild forward to the ice with a textbook shoulder to shoulder hit in the final minute of the first period. It was a vintage Baby Trouba hit, reminiscent from his earlier NHL days, but more absent the past two seasons when Schneider played with a torn labrum.
Now, to be honest here, Schneider led with his left shoulder on the thunderous check, and it’s the right one which required surgery. But the point about his physical play picking up again after playing in constant pain the past two years remains valid.
Schneider did average 6.12 hits/60 last season, so it’s not like he was a wallflower out there. But he didn’t exactly throw bombs like that one on Foligno either.
The bigger points is that Schneider looks healthy and really good, so far this season. His average TOI is up to a career-high 18:14, and he’s playing confidently at both ends of the rink. The 24-year-old is shooting much more often — on pace for over 120 shots on goal this season, well past his previous best of 95 — though, like most of his teammates, he’s struggling to find the back of the net.
But this version of Schneider could be a real X-factor for the Rangers, especially if he ever gets the chance to play more top-four minutes 5v5. Right now, the Rangers could do far worse than have Schneider partner with Carson Soucy on the third pair, play important minutes on the penalty kill, and quarterback the second power-play unit. Which he is doing. And doing well.
Baby Trouba is back.
New York Rangers news and analysis
Here are our key Rangers takeaways after their latest loss on home ice, 3-1 to the Wild.
Our Lou Orlando examined the effect Soucy’s return to the lineup has on New York’s defense corps.
Gabe Perreault’s first professional goal is among the few highlights for the Hartford Wolf Pack, who’ve lost their first three games this season. Ricky Milliner takes a look at the slow start for the Rangers AHL affiliate, and previews Hartford’s busy schedule this week.
The Rangers have winnable games against the winless San Jose Sharks and struggling Calgary Flames this week. Our John Kreiser breaks down those matchups.
NHL news and rumors
TSN: Jonathan Toews scored his first goal since April 13, 2023, when he tallied on the power play in the third period to help the Winnipeg Jets rally past the Calgary Flames 2-1. The former Chicago Blackhawks captain missed the past two seasons due to health issues and is making a comeback in 20252-6 with his hometown Jets.
Forever Blueshirts: Former Rangers center Filip Chytil was placed on IR by the Vancouver Canucks and is still being evaluated by doctors after he was knocked out of their game Sunday following a huge hit delievred by Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson.
NHL Trade Rumors: Elliotte Friedman believes that the Buffalo Sabres could turn to Peter DeBoer as their next head coach if Lindy Ruff soon takes the fall for another poor start this season.
Daily Faceoff: Vegas Golden Knights captain Mark Stone is week to week with a wrist injury.
Sportsnet: The bad news continued for the Golden Knights on Monday, when goalie Adin Hill left their 3-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes with an apparent leg injury.
Dallas Morning News: Former Rangers defenseman received another dose of unfortunate injury news Monday. After missing most of last season following shoulder surgery, Lundqvist is week to week for the Dallas Stars with a lower-body injury.
Florida Hockey Now: The biggest game in the NHL on Tuesday takes place in Boston, when former Bruins captain Brad Marchand returns for the first time since he was dealt to the Florida Panthers ahead of the 2025 trade deadline.
Sportsnet: The Toronto Blue Jays invited Seattle Kraken forward Shane Wright to throw out the First Pitch at a game next season, after the Ontario native wore a Seattle Mariners jersey (as did other Kraken players) to support the local MLB team during its American League Championship Series against the Blue Jays.
New Jersey Hockey Now: Despite some injury issues, the New Jersey Devils are 4-1-0 to start the season. But James Nichols breaks down why there are still some red flags to be concerned about across the Hudson.
TSN: Nick Foligno returned to the Blackhawks following the successful follow-up surgery performed on his daughter for her congenital heart disease. Chicago’s captain took a personal leave of absence to be with his daughter and family last week.
Sportsnet: Jake Walman was activated off IR by the Edmonton Oilers. He’s yet to play a game this season due to an unspecified injury.
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