Rangers sign RFA Braden Schneider to 2-year deal

The New York Rangers signed restricted free-agent defenseman Braden Schneider to a two-year deal, the team announced Saturday.

Schneider's pact carries a $2.2-million cap hit, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.

He can become an RFA with arbitration rights once his new contract expires and will be due a qualifying offer of $2.64 million, per PuckPedia.

Schneider appeared in all 82 games for the Rangers this past season, potting five goals and a career-high 19 points while averaging just under 16 minutes of ice time per contest. He also logged two assists in 16 playoff outings during New York's run to the Eastern Conference Final.

The 22-year-old spent the bulk of his time on a pair with veteran Erik Gustafsson, who signed with the Detroit Red Wings as a free agent on July 1.

When star rearguard Adam Fox missed 10 regular-season games with a knee injury in November, Schneider and Zac Jones formed the third pair with Gustafsson slotting next to Ryan Lindgren. In the postseason, Schneider spent some time in a top-four role next to K'Andre Miller.

The Rangers selected Schneider with the 19th overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft.

Schneider has amassed 48 points in 206 career NHL games across three campaigns.

New York now has around $5.1 million in cap space. Lindgren needs a new pact as an RFA, and he was one of 14 players to file for a salary arbitration hearing.

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