The New York Rangers may already have a useful contract comparison in place as they prepare to make a decision on defenseman Braden Schneider this offseason. If the organization chooses to keep the young blueliner rather than include him in potential trade discussions during its summer retool, a recent deal signed by Timothy Liljegren could help establish the financial framework for Schneider’s next contract.
Liljegren agreed to a two-year, $6.5 million contract with the Washington Capitals earlier this week after becoming eligible for unrestricted free agency this summer. While the situations are not identical, there are several notable similarities between the two right-shot defensemen that make Liljegren’s contract a reasonable benchmark in negotiations.
Schneider, who is 24 years old, will become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights this offseason. Liljegren faced a similar situation two years ago while playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs, eventually signing a two-year bridge deal worth $6 million. Because Schneider is younger and viewed by many as a stronger overall defender, the Rangers could justify offering him a slightly larger annual salary, potentially in the $3.5 million to $4 million range on another short-term bridge contract.
There are several parallels between the two players beyond contract status. Both were first-round draft picks — Liljegren selected 17th overall in 2017 and Schneider chosen 19th overall by the Rangers in 2020. Both entered the NHL with significant expectations but have yet to fully emerge as top-tier defensemen. Liljegren has already played for multiple NHL organizations, while Schneider has frequently appeared in trade speculation over the last few seasons as New York evaluates ways to reshape its roster.
Despite entering the NHL later than Liljegren, Schneider has become a more established presence in the league. Since breaking into the Rangers lineup during the 2021-22 campaign, he has developed into a dependable everyday defenseman and has already appeared in 368 regular-season games along with 43 playoff contests. His postseason résumé is particularly impressive for a player his age, having contributed during two deep playoff runs that saw New York reach the Eastern Conference Final in both 2022 and 2024.
Durability is another area where Schneider holds an advantage. He has played at least 80 games in each of his four full NHL seasons and completed the full 82-game schedule twice. Liljegren, meanwhile, has dealt with injuries and inconsistency throughout his career, surpassing the 60-game mark only three times and reaching a career-high 68 games played during the 2024-25 season.
On the ice, Schneider is widely regarded as the more physical and defensively reliable player. He consistently blocks shots and brings a tougher edge to the Rangers blue line. Liljegren, however, has shown slightly stronger offensive production and has performed better in certain advanced statistical categories over the years.
This past season presented a major opportunity for Schneider to elevate his game after seeing his average ice time increase to a career-high 20:27 per game. However, the expanded role did not produce the breakout many anticipated. Schneider struggled during stretches when he was asked to skate on the Rangers’ top defensive pairing following an injury to star defenseman Adam Fox. During that period, the Rangers endured a disappointing collapse that ultimately left them at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings.
Still, Schneider rebounded late in the season after returning to a more familiar role on the third defensive pair. New head coach Mike Sullivan publicly praised the young defenseman for his strong finish and consistent play down the stretch.
While Liljegren’s recent contract may not be a perfect one-to-one comparison, it provides the Rangers with a valuable starting point as they determine Schneider’s market value and future with the franchise.
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