The sky's the limit for what Braden Schneider could accomplish with the New York Rangers.
Since entering the NHL during the 2021-22 season, Schneider has only improved and is beginning to show flashes of a defenseman who has the potential to be a true impact player for years to come.
The key for Schneider’s improvement was just consistency and getting more comfortable being with the Rangers, an organization he considers to be family.'
“I feel like everybody here is family and it’s a familiar place for me,” Schneider said. “I love to play here, I love to play for these guys. I think when you have a good culture and good people around you, it only builds to one your confidence, two your ability to play. We have a really good group, a family feel and it only helps your game.”
Schneider plays a strong game in his defensive zone and that’s always been his most impressive attribute as a player.
However, the young defenseman is beginning to unlock a whole new offensive arsenal to his game, making him even more dynamic.
The 23-year-old made it a point of emphasis to work on his stick handling during the offseason and it’s been paying dividends in a huge way.
“I feel like my game starts in the D zone and I think if you are doing that well, it gives you a chance to create offense,” Schneider said. “I feel that offense is mainly just confidence. If you feel you can just dive down or take something to the net and you feel confident in doing it, you are going to create stuff.
“I feel like in past years I would sit back and let things happen. I worked a lot this summer on puck handling, so I’m feeling really confident and with confidence comes the opportunity to create some chances.”
Schneider’s offensive strides have been noticeable to say the least. Given his quick speed, improved puck handling skills and rocket of a shot, Schneider has proven to be really lethal offensively.
He’s beginning to have the confidence to pinch a lot more in the opposing team’s zone and even has generated quite a few scoring opportunities including one goal of his own, which has been thrilling to watch.
Rangers coach Peter Laviolette has always been impressed with Schneider’s play and feels that he’s continuing to grow with more experience.
“I thought Schneider was a really good defenseman for us last year,” Laviolette said. “You are better at 22 than you are at 18 you are probably better at 26 than you are at 22. It’s just the game experience playing against some of the best players in the world. You are going to get valuable experience at a level where there will be evolution to his game and we count on him for a lot of things.”
This past summer, Schneider signed a two-year $4.4 million contract with the Rangers, something he was ecstatic about.
“It was so exciting,” Schneider said on signing a contract extension with the Rangers. “Getting another two years here to prove something and obviously getting a little pay raise is always good.”
This is all just the start for Schneider as he continues to blossom into a legitimate top-four defenseman.
