Did Rangers GM provide clue about Braden Schneider’s future?
Chris Drury didn’t 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’s future with the organization.
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’Andre Miller last summer, the Rangers opted not to invest long-term in the former first-round pick and traded Miller to the Carolina Hurricanes. Miller landed an eight-year, $60 million contract with the Hurricanes after the trade.
So, what about Schneider?
“He’s a terrific young right-shot defenseman, (and) we’re excited he’s part of our group,” Drury stated. “We think he’s scratching the surface on what he can be in this league, and hope he’s a Ranger for a long time.”
That sounds like a pretty ringing endorsement from the Rangers general manager. Unless, that is, he’s sending a smokescreen, looking to pump up the defenseman’s trade value. But taking Drury at his word, it appears there’s a good chance Schneider is a part of the core moving forward.
Of course, things aren’t 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 was sidelined with a pair of injuries.
“I expected more from myself. I wish I had done a bit more to help us win, and that’s something I’ll be reflecting on and making sure next year is better,” Schneider said Friday.
Schneider averaged a career-high 20:27 TOI, third among Rangers defensemen. 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.
Per Natural Stat Trick, 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.
Healthy after offseason shoulder surgery, Schneider led the Rangers 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.
Braden Schneider ‘very proud to be a Ranger’ despite trade rumors, uncertain future
His name’s been in trade rumors for years, and that picked up even more amid Schneider’s struggles this season and after Drury announced plans to retool back in January.
But there’s no question Schneider wants to be part of the solution on Broadway and remain with the Rangers.
“It’s something that is out of my control. I love being a Ranger. I’m very proud to be a Ranger, and it feels like home here. I know I’ll be doing whatever I can to be the best player I can be, and I hope it’s here,” he stated. “Whatever happens is going to happen. I’m proud to be a Ranger, so that’s where I’ll leave that. We’ll see what happens.“
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.
“I think my execution of breaking pucks out, I need to be a bit better there,” he explained. “And 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.”
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.
It’s 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.
