Rangers sign 2020 first-round pick Braden Schneider to entry-level deal

The Rangers now have both of their 2020 first-round picks under contract as CapFriendly reports (Twitter link) that they’ve inked defenseman Braden Schneider to a three-year, entry-level contract.  The deal carries a base salary of $925K (including a 10% signing bonus), a minor league salary of $80K, and $400K in performance bonuses in each season.

The timing of this deal is notable.  Since they weren’t able to get him signed by the end of 2020, Schneider wasn’t eligible to have his contract slide a year.  As a result, by waiting until now to do the deal, they were able to sign him to a future contract that begins in 2021-22 although they won’t benefit from the slightly lower AAV that a 2020-21 contract that slid would have provided.

Schneider was the 19th overall pick back in October, joining winger Alexis Lafreniere (first overall) as New York’s top selections from the draft.  While their top selection is all about the offense, Schneider is more of a throwback defensive defender although he’s coming off a decent season offensively in the WHL where he had seven goals and 35 assists in 60 games with WHL Brandon.

This season, the pandemic has certainly limited Schneider’s playing opportunities with the WHL just getting underway.  He did manage to earn a spot on Canada’s entry into the World Juniors where he had a goal and two assists along with 25 penalty minutes in six games.  Schneider also made his pro debut, suiting up twice with AHL Hartford before being sent back to the Wheat Kings where he will wrap up his junior career before kicking off his first professional campaign next season.