Rangers ‘making progress’ on contract with RFA defenseman: report
This offseason, much attention has been on restricted free-agent defensemen and the New York Rangers, particularly Ryan Lindgren. However, another crucial defenseman also needs a new contract, and there is positive news on that front.
According to Vince Mercogliano of lohud.com, the Rangers are advancing in negotiations on a bridge deal with Braden Schneider. Typically, the Rangers opt for a bridge deal when a young player finishes his entry-level contract, as Schneider did at the end of the 2023-24 season. Mercogliano reported that progress is being made on a bridge deal (likely two or three years) for an average annual value around $2.5 million, based on information from an anonymous source familiar with the situation.
This contract was anticipated to be the easier one for the Blueshirts to finalize this offseason. Although Schneider is becoming a vital part of New York’s core, he lacks the leverage to negotiate beyond a 2-3 year bridge deal in the $2+ million range. If he establishes himself as a top-four defenseman, as expected, he will be in line for a substantial payday on his next contract, similar to what is expected for defenseman K’Andre Miller next offseason.
The 22-year-old Schneider has already played 206 regular-season games and 43 Stanley Cup Playoff games. He is a reliable two-way defenseman whose production is expected to increase as his game develops. Last season, Schneider recorded an NHL career-high 19 points (five goals, 14 assists) over 82 games, adding two assists in 16 postseason games. While primarily a third-pair defenseman this season, he excelled in the top four following injuries to Jacob Trouba, Ryan Lindgren, and Erik Gustafsson in March. Schneider and Miller formed a strong pair and could be the second pair when the 2024-25 season begins. Trouba is expected to play on the third pair with Zac Jones, who will likely replace Gustafsson, who signed a two-year contract with the Detroit Red Wings.
Rangers still must work out contracts with Braden Schneider, Ryan Lindgren
The more challenging contract for the Blueshirts this summer is with Lindgren. The 26-year-old has filed for arbitration and can become an unrestricted free agent at the end of next season. The Rangers aim to avoid Lindgren reaching UFA status next summer with a one-year arbitration ruling and hope to negotiate a contract extending into his free-agent years. However, this complicates negotiations. Lindgren desires the security of a long-term contract, while the Rangers may prefer a three or four-year maximum due to concerns over his physical durability from his aggressive play style.
The Rangers seek cost certainty with Lindgren ahead of a busy 2025 offseason when Igor Shesterkin (UFA), Alexis Lafreniere (RFA with arbitration rights), and Miller (also RFA with arbitration rights) will need new, costly contracts. They do not want to lose Lindgren for nothing next July as a UFA but are hesitant to commit to a long-term deal.
In contrast to the Schneider negotiation, Lindgren has more leverage as he can accept the arbitrator’s ruling and become an unrestricted free agent next summer. Although there is less urgency to finalize Schneider’s contract, he is expected to sign before Lindgren this summer.
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