Rangers' 2020 Draft Class Profound Impact On The 2023-2024 Season
Braden Schneider (2020, 19th Overall)
The New York Rangers defense is solidified with interchangeable top pairing defenders in Jacob Trouba, K'Andre Miller, Ryan Lindgren, and 2021 Norris Trophy winner Adam Fox.
Schneider's steady third unit minutes are often glossed over. The Rangers initially traded up in a swap with the Calgary Flames to hop the New Jersey Devils in order to select the stand out WHL defender.
Nicknamed "Baby Trouba" by many members of the organization, the 21-year-old rearguard has brought a physical brand of defense even with a rotating door of partners over the last three seasons.
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"This kid is a stud dude. I love his physicality. I think he's providing some competition for guys playing above him in the lineup and he will," Mike Rupp stated on The Blue Crew podcast. "He could do a little bit of everything. This kid could bring some heat."
This season, Schneider has 15 points (three goals, 12 assists) and averages 14:58 TOI per game. The defender still untapped potential in the attacking end, but is serviceable as a defensive defender alongside the offensive Erik Gustaffson.