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2020 NHL Draft: About the Braden Schneider pick

By Steve Paulus

CALGARY, AB - OCTOBER 8: Jake Bean #2 of the Calgary Hitmen loses the puck to Braden Schneider #2 of the Brandon Wheat Kings during a WHL game at the Scotiabank Saddledome on October 8, 2017 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images)
CALGARY, AB - OCTOBER 8: Jake Bean #2 of the Calgary Hitmen loses the puck to Braden Schneider #2 of the Brandon Wheat Kings during a WHL game at the Scotiabank Saddledome on October 8, 2017 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images) /
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New York Rangers
Braden Schneider #2 of Team White skates during the 2020 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

Who is Braden Schneider?

Four months ago we previewed the draft and singled out Schneider as a possible draft target for the Rangers.  Here’s what we said:

Schneider is a big (6’2″, 202 pounds) defenseman for the Brandon Wheat Kings in the WHL.  He has played three full seasons and boasts solid offensive numbers. This season he finished with seven goals and 42 points in 60 games.

This is NHL Central Scouting ‘s report: “Displays a strong presence on the ice. Makes big hits in all three zones. Strong on his skates and hard to knock off the puck. Used in all situations. Likes to join the rush using deceptive speed. A complete package on the blueline who can control a game.”

Their current player comparison was Shea Weber.

In the final mock draft rankings, Craig Button of TSN had Schneider going 15th overall to the Maple Leafs.  Bob McKenzie of TSN ranked him 17th overall.

Ryan Kennedy of The Hockey News had the Rangers drafting Schneider, but at 22nd overall.  He had a glowing assessment of the young player: “When you already have an elite forward in the draft, you might as well add elsewhere. Schneider is a rock-solid two-way defenseman who plays physical and skews more towards the defensive side of things. But he does skate well and has ‘pro’ written all over him. ”

Chris Peters of ESPN has Schneider ranked 16th overall calling him a “physical presence with good two-way skills” who  “has the size and strength to make things difficult for forwards along the walls.”    Peters called Schneider one of the better all-around defensemen in the draft.

Steve Kournianos of the Draft Analyst had him pegged exactly at 19th, but going to the Calgary Flames who traded the pick to the Rangers.   Vince Mercogliano of LOHUD had the same projection.

Sportsnet had Schneider ranked 17th overall with this analysis: “One of the oldest players in this draft class, Schneider is a mobile, right shot D who will start out as a first-pass, stay-at-home type before progressing offensively.”

Corey Pronman of the Athletic (subscription required)  had him going to Washington with the 24th overall pick.   He had him ranked as the 25th best prospect in the draft and this is what one scout told him about Schneider: “He’s mobile, he’s hard to play against, he can make a very good first pass. The offense is never going to pop with him, but he has a lot of elements in his game that will translate to the NHL.”

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