1/29.26: Friedman said on Sportsnet 590 “I’ve heard the Rangers feel there is traction on some of their guys. That, to me, is the team to watch.”
On Vincent Trocheck, Friedman said “there is definitely interest in him.”
On Braden Schneider, Friedman said “if they want to do something they’ll be able to do it no problem.”
1/27/26: On Tuesday, Elliotte Friedman was on NHL Network and was asked what is next for the Rangers and said, “I know everyone is real excited about Panarin, I kind of wonder if it might end up being something like Braden Schneider to be honest. The Rangers just had their scouting meeting and the feeling around the league coming out of that is that Chris Drury has reiterated that if you have an idea, call me. Some of his players have protection and control over whether or not they go but there are other players who don’t and he’s willing to listen to all of them.”
NHL Network had a graphic up showing Artemi Panarin, Alexis Lafreniere, Vincent Trocheck, Braden Schneider and Sam Carrick as possible trade chips and Friedman said “I like that you put Carrick up there because I think that is the kind of player that could get some interest, too. One of the guys I’m wondering about his Schneider, whose contract is up after this year and I definitely think there is a lot of Trocheck and the question is going to be where he can he go without permission and how high could the Rangers get this to go. But one name I did hear a little bit today, knowing I was coming on here and calling around and aside from the obvious ones, was Schneider. I think that for a defenseman who is a bit heavier there is always interest in that kind of player and I think there is some in him and the Rangers have a decision to make there.”
1/27/26: Adam Rotter: I imagine that the Rangers price on Schneider may be even higher than the price on Vincent Trocheck. Schneider is big, a right shot and still only 24 years old. The Rangers have held him out of numerous trade talks in the past few years and while he hasn’t taken the step forward we all hoped he would with more ice time, he still has a ton of value. He still has a lot of value to the Rangers, but is his value higher to the Rangers as their third pair right defenseman, who needs a new contract, or as someone who brings back picks/young player/prospects? I wanted Schneider shifted to the left side so he could fully get top-4 minutes but due to the Adam Fox injury Schneider has gotten those minutes, on his natural right side, but it hasn’t always been great. The Rangers had concerns about giving K’Andre Miller, who was closer to being a UFA than Schneider is right now, a new contract and locking him in with questions about whether he would live up to it and they may ultimately feel the same about Schneider. He’ll cost less than Miller would since Miller has a higher offensive upside, but the point is the same. If the Rangers have questions about what Schneider can/will ultimately be then they will probably move him in the next couple of weeks or if their price isn’t met, at the draft.