The Will Borgen contract will cost the Rangers Braden Schneider - Blue Seat Blogs

"As rumors fly regarding the Rangers retool, Braden Schneider's name has come up numerous times. Outside of Vincent Trocheck, Schneider would bring back the biggest return as a young right handed defenseman with pedigree. The NHL loves young RHDs that have a reputation for being solid defensively, and his trade return would move the Rangers forward significantly. However this wouldn't be a topic without the Will Borgen contract, as Chris Drury's tunnel vision is going to cost him dearly."

"Many seem to take offense to the notion that Schneider can and should be on the trade block. He's having an objectively bad season, but isn't that far removed from flirting with top-four effectiveness despite a torn labrum in his shoulder. Since every Ranger is having a rough season, it's a little easier to toss this aside as a blip."

"That said, Schneider is on the block because of depth at the position, not because of his play. After all, Schneider is just 24 years old, so he fits the mold of younger player to help with the retool. However with Adam Fox not going anywhere and Borgen signed forever, the Rangers need to find assets to move to address the retool. Scott Morrow is improving steadily and EJ Emery is about 2-3 years away."

Braden Schneider remains an attractive trade asset as a young, right-handed defenseman with defensive pedigree who could command significant return outside Vincent Trocheck. Schneider's current struggles follow a season in which he nearly reached top-four effectiveness despite a torn labrum. Depth at right defense and the presence of Adam Fox, Scott Morrow's development, and EJ Emery's timeline create tradeable surplus. The core issue is Will Borgen's five-year, $4.1 million contract, which was likely an overpay and has seen regression, making him effectively untradeable and locking him into the Rangers' 2RD role. That contract constrains roster construction and pushes Schneider toward a third-pairing role that would not justify a projected $5 million cap hit.

Read at Blue Seat Blogs