Rangers sign Braden Schneider and Mason Geertsen

The New York Rangers made some roster moves, signing one prospect and adding some depth to their roster. One was anticipated while the other was a little unexpected.  With the team off the ice on Wednesday, it was time for the front office to get some work done.

 Braden Schneider signed

The Rangers inked 2020 first round pick Braden Schneider to his Entry Level Contract (ELC).   March 1 was the first day that teams could sign players for the 2021-22 season so this was anticipated.  Schneider played in two games for the Wolf Pack before returning to the Brandon Wheat Kings training camp.

The 19 year old was named captain of the WHL team and should play at least one or more seasons with them before turning pro.

The Rangers did the same thing with Matthew Robertson last year after he was drafted.  He has been playing with the Edmonton Oil Kings with an ELC that kicks in when he turns pro.

Mason Geertsen signed

The Rangers also signed Hartford defenseman Mason Geertsen to a two year deal.  He was immediately placed on waivers so he could be used on the taxi squad.

Geertsen was invited to the Rangers training camp in 2019 as an unsigned free agent.  He didn’t get a contract with the Blueshirts, but the Wolf Pack signed him and he played last year in Hartford where he added some much needed muscle to the blue line.  He didn’t score a goal, but did have eight assists.  More important, he led the team in penalty minutes with 109, a total that ranked sixth in the AHL.

He was a fourth round draft pick of Colorado in 2013 and was signed and spent some time in the Avalanche system before not getting a qualifying offer in 2019.

While Geertsen isn’t a “goon” he is also not reluctant to drop the gloves.  He has 11 PIM in four games this season in Hartford while adding one assist.  He will fill the role vacated by Micheal Haley as the player the Rangers could use when they need some physicality in the lineup.

The Rangers are near the top of the league in fighting majors with eight.  After not having a fight in their first eight games, they have had eight bouts in 12 games.  The team cannot be happy that the players include Chris Kreider, Pavel Buchnevich, Jacob Trouba and Ryan Lindgren.  They need those players on the ice and not in the penalty box.

Any more moves?

The Blueshirts have some space on the roster to add contracts and they need to sign defense prospects Hunter Skinner and Calle Själin by June 1 or lose their rights.  Skinner will probably get a deal, but they will probably not sign Själin.

The Rangers are also probably taking a look at some undrafted collegiate players to see if there is a diamond in the rough available.  Last year, they signed Patrick Khodorenko, Justin Richards and Austin Rueschhoff, all playing in Hartford this season.

There is a limit of 50 players under contract and the Rangers currently have 46 players signed.