Trade talks are heating up around the NHL, with the New York Rangers fielding inquiries on pending restricted free agent defenseman Braden Schneider as the league gears up for the NHL Draft and the start of free agency on July 1.
Schneider, a 22-year-old blueliner, has drawn attention from multiple teams looking to acquire his rights before he hits the open market. The Rangers must decide whether to trade him, sign him to a new deal, or let him walk as a restricted free agent.
Sources indicate that the Rangers are weighing their options carefully, balancing Schneider's potential against the team's salary cap constraints. The trade market for young defensemen is expected to be active leading up to the draft.
Public opinion among Rangers fans is divided, with some advocating for keeping Schneider as a core piece and others favoring a trade for immediate offensive help. The outcome will shape the team's defensive depth chart for the upcoming season.