Rangers trade up to block Devils from selecting mean defenseman, Braden Schneider

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Devils general manager, Tom Fitzgerald is claiming the Rangers trading up to 19 to take Braden Schneider did not alter their plans. NJ then went about 8-10 spots off the board to select rearguard, Shakir Mukhamadullin.

Rangers would not have made that move without sufficient knowledge

It’s almost as if the Fitzgerald wants people to conveniently forget that Lindy Ruff just left the organization. It’s almost as if the Devils want to pretend that they didn’t hire him just before the playoffs started.

During the pause when the team was talking with prospects in preparation, you think Ruff didn’t know about Schneider late in the first round? Or that maybe he knew the Rangers were targeting him first and thus wanted to take him? If you do, I have the deed to a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you.

Seriously, you think John Davidson didn’t know? Just look at this video below. Schneider plays with an edge is makes life tough on opponents, you think JD wanted the Blueshirts facing him for a decade? Bottom line, there is no way the Devils don’t take Schneider if he’s available at 20.

Understanding the pick of Braden Schneider

Rangers Devils Schneider
Rangers draft Schneider (WHL)

At first the move was a bit puzzling due to the Rangers needing centers. However, with the potential of trading Ryan Strome’s rights for a second round pick to draft one, it makes sense. Schneider is projected to be a top four defenseman in two to three years. In the cap era, the Rangers need to be able to bring in top level talent at cost control.

So the immediate reaction that this spells the end of DeAngelo is not correct. The Rangers have tons of prospects coming in that are left handed in Matthew Robertson, K’Andre Miller, and Zac Jones but there’s no guarantees they will all make it. On the right, there isn’t much behind Nils Lundkvist.

Sure the Rangers can move Fox or DeAngelo to the left side to make room. Or they could trade DeAngelo down the road. My point is simple, the pick does not necessarily have an immediate impact to the lineup next season or the one after.

By Anthony Scultore

Anthony Scultore has been covering the New York Rangers and the NHL since 2014. His work also appears at... More about Anthony Scultore

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