The New York Rangers are apparent sellers ahead of the deadline, and the team could look to move a hard-hitting young defenseman.
New York already traded Artemi Panarin to the Los Angeles Kings before the deadline, but the Rangers aren’t done. New York is likely to be one of, if not the top seller, ahead of the March 6 trade deadline.
With the Lightning looking for a defenseman, NHL insider Josh Erickson of Pro Hockey Rumors linked the team to acquiring Rangers defenseman Braden Schneider.
“A younger name who could be a fit, especially short-term as a more natural third-pairing upgrade, is the Rangers’ Braden Schneider,” Erickson wrote. “The 24-year-old is a pending restricted free agent, so while he’s not cost-controlled, he at least has two years of team control left for the Bolts to sign him to a long-term deal. He’s averaging a career-high 20:19 per game for the Blueshirts this season with two goals, 11 points, and a -15 rating in 57 games.
“New York has relied on him heavily in shutdown situations over the past few seasons, and his possession numbers consistently come out above water compared to his offensive zone start percentage. With Cernak taking the brunt of shutdown minutes in Tampa, there may be room for Schneider to chip in more offensively in easier minutes.”
Schneider is a former first-round pick who’s a hard-hitting defenseman. He’d fit in nicely on the blue line on the third-pairing and be part of a shutdown role.
This season, Schneider has recorded 2 goals and 9 assists for 11 points in 57 games. But, the 6-foot-3 defenseman is more known for his physical and defensive play, which Tampa Bay could use.
Lightning Looking for Blue Line Help
The Rangers trading Schneider to the Lightning would make a lot of sense.
Tampa Bay has a clear need to upgrade its blue line, as the Bolts have been plagued by injuries. The Rangers could also sell high on Schneider and get a good return for him, as Tampa Bay is focused on adding a defenseman, according to NHL insider David Pagnotta.
“The right side of that ‘D’ corps has been something that they’ve been looking to add. (I) wouldn’t be surprised if (Lightning GM Julien) BriseBois pulls that off. Now, one of the things he did tell me during the Stadium Series was that if they make a move, they don’t just want it to be for this season. They view it as adding now and impacting the roster moving forward. So, to me, that means somebody with term or at least somebody controllable,” Pagnotta said on DailyFaceoff Live.
Schneider fits on a lot of teams, and if the Rangers aren’t trying to compete, trading him does make sense.
Rangers Plan to Retool
New York is having another disappointing season, and the team is planning on retooling its roster.
Before the Rangers traded Panarin, general manager Chris Drury sent a message to the fans announcing the plans to sell.
“Over the last few years, we’ve had some successes and moments to cherish. But ultimately it was not the end goal,” Drury wrote. “We are working relentlessly every day to bring a Stanley Cup back to New York. Because that is what our fans deserve. With our position in the standings and injuries to key players this season, we must be honest and realistic about our situation. We are not going to stand pat – a shift will give us the ability to be smart and opportunistic as we retool the team.
“This will not be a rebuild. This will be a retool built around our core players and prospects. We will target players that bring tenacity, skill, speed, and a winning pedigree. With a focus on obtaining young players, draft picks. And cap space to allow us flexibility moving forward. That may mean saying goodbye to players that have brought us and our fans great moments over the years. These players represented the Rangers with pride and class and will always be a part of our family.”
New York entered the Olympic break with a record of 22-29-6 and is in last place in the Eastern Conference.
Rangers Linked to Trading Hard-Hitting Defenseman to Eastern Team