The New York Rangers took a calculated risk at the start of the season by shifting Braden Schneider from his usual right side to the left side on defense. After three games, however, coach Peter Laviolette is pleased with Schneider’s adaptation to this change.
Laviolette praised Schneider and his partner Jacob Trouba for their performance in a recent game against the Detroit Red Wings, highlighting that the transition to the off side has not seemed to hinder Schneider. While there have been minor challenges for Schneider, who typically shoots right but is now playing on the left, the positives have outweighed the negatives.
At 23, Schneider took the adjustment in stride when Laviolette proposed the idea late in the preseason. The need for this shift arose because the Rangers were without veteran left-handed defenseman Ryan Lindgren, who is sidelined due to an upper-body injury from a preseason altercation. To accommodate K’Andre Miller in a top-pairing role and enable rookie Victor Mancini to enter the lineup, Schneider was required to switch sides.
Schneider excelled in the season opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins, finishing with a plus-4 rating in over 20 minutes of ice time. Although he and Trouba started slowly in the second game against the Utah Hockey Club, Schneider rallied to score a crucial goal later in that match.
Laviolette referred to Schneider as a key player last season, tasked with defending against opposing teams’ top lines. Schneider, nicknamed “Baby Trouba,” has become a dependable defender, missing just one game over the past two seasons. He has shown promise while pairing with Miller during the regular season and the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
In the last two seasons, Schneider scored five goals each year, and his 19 points last season marked an improvement. Laviolette sees potential for further offensive development, noting some impressive plays Schneider made last season.
Lindgren participated in Wednesday’s practice while wearing a full face shield, signaling his impending return. Once he’s back, Schneider is expected to return to the right side, but Laviolette appreciates the flexibility he now has with his defensive pairings. He emphasized that while left-right combinations can be beneficial, having players who can switch sides adds versatility to the team’s defense.
