Rangers sign Braden Schneider to one-year extension

The New York Rangers have come to terms with a young, homegrown blueliner.

On Monday, the Rangers signed defenseman Braden Schneider to a one-year contract extension.

Schneider, 24, entered this offseason as a restricted free agent. This deal will carry a cap hit of $5.5 million and will once again walk Schneider into restricted free agency upon its expiry.

The Prince Albert, Saskatchewan native played in all 82 games for New York last season, putting up two goals and 16 assists for 18 points while averaging roughly 20 and a half minutes of ice time.

Initially selected by the Rangers in the first round (19th overall) from the Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League (WHL) in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, Schneider split his first post-draft season of 2020-21 between Brandon and New York’s American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate Hartford Wolf Pack. In just two games with Hartford, he had no goals and one assist, and he put up five goals and 22 assists for 27 points in 22 games for the Wheat Kings.

Schneider’s first full-time professional season came in 2021-22, which he split between Hartford and the Rangers. He notched nine assists in 24 AHL games, and notched two goals and nine assists for 11 points in 43 NHL games. He also contributed three assists in 20 playoff games during New York’s run to the Eastern Conference Final.

Starting with the 2022-23 season, Schneider has proven to be a durable and reliable right-shot defenseman for the Rangers. He has played in no fewer than 80 games and put up between 18 and 21 points in each season. His ice time has gradually increased each year, and he should continue to be a big-bodied presence used on the penalty kill and in defensive situations next season.