Prospect Info: 2020 NHL Draft 19th Overall Pick, Braden Schneider, D

[gravey9]

99% of Hajek's struggles are due to Smith. Smith is constantly out of position and leaving Hajek out to dry. I imagine his fancy stats and everything else would look much better with a more proficient partner.

I mean, I've seen numerous times where Hajek is blamed for something and replay clearly shows it was a Smith issue.

If Smith stayed home and simplified his game, I feel like Hajek would have less high danger situations to defend.

That said, Hajek has quite a few of his own foibles that add to the drama when the pair is defending.

Hajek's strong suits: he is pretty darn good at recovering pucks in the corners and winning battles. He's a pretty nimble skater. He's got decent size and reach. And he's been a bit more physical this year than he's ever been. His stick-handling in tight spaces is also solid. He tends to play more conservative, which is almost required given his skill set, but he's smart enough to know this and he tends to be more risk averse as a result.

Hajek's weaknesses: His gap control is inconsistent. He lacks a calmness when defending in high danger situations. He is particularly bad at 2 on 1s. Yes, he eliminates the pass. But his spacing is way off, he cheats over to the guy without the puck and every 2 on 1 he defends turns into a breakaway as the puck carrier is ceded the middle. He's below average with outlet passing and breakouts. He is tentative and his decision making isn't nearly as quick as it needs to be. He often telegraphs his passes. Smith, for as erratic as he is, still manages to make one fantastic stretch/outlet pass a game. Hajek needs 5 ft passes to succeed. Finally, Hajek in the offensive zone is very mediocre. His best moments in the offensive zone are when he pinches down the boards to support the cycle and keep the puck in. Again, good along the boards. In general, when the puck is on his stick, it feels like the game is just a bit too fast for him.

He's been serviceable this season. I don't think his ceiling is particularly high at this point. I feel like on most teams he's not a regular bottom pairing D. He's a #7-8 or a AAAA player.

 

[gravey9]

Ok. How about Alexei Emelin, Dmitri Kulikov, Tobias Enström, Nikita Zaitsev, Ossi Väänänen, Kim Johnsson, Mattias Öhlund, Daniel Tjärnqvist, Artyom Zub, Vlad Gavrikov, Michal Kempný, Marek Židlický?

Alexander Romanov walked straight into the NHL this season and he's from the same draft as Lundkvist. I can probably find another 20 European defensemen who made the jump straight to the NHL and didn't need time in the AHL simply because they were ready

I hear you. I just don't see the need to rush Nils. If he spends 3 months in the AHL next year, so be it if it's the better move long term. At least a few of the players you mentioned had rocky beginnings when it came to defending - real up and down first years in their own zone. I remember the growing pains with Johnsson well. And it took Zidlicky years to figure out the D zone. Romanov has looked good but also a bit of everything in his own zone this season.

As much as the AHL is hit and miss with forwards, it is a good place for young defenders to go to adjust to the pro speed or in Nils' case, the North American game. So, if you're purely trying to make the argument that not all European defenseman need time in the AHL then cool I accept that premise. But I also have no issue with him playing a bit in the AHL to start his North American career. Going a little too slow with prospects is often better than a little too fast.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

I hear you. I just don't see the need to rush Nils. If he spends 3 months in the AHL next year, so be it if it's the better move long term. At least a few of the players you mentioned had rocky beginnings when it came to defending - real up and down first years in their own zone. I remember the growing pains with Johnsson well. And it took Zidlicky years to figure out the D zone. Romanov has looked good but also a bit of everything in his own zone this season.

As much as the AHL is hit and miss with forwards, it is a good place for young defenders to go to adjust to the pro speed or in Nils' case, the North American game. So, if you're purely trying to make the argument that not all European defenseman need time in the AHL then cool I accept that premise. But I also have no issue with him playing a bit in the AHL to start his North American career. Going a little too slow with prospects is often better than a little too fast.

Yes, and I am not saying it's a guarantee. Just pointing out that it's by no means a given he NEEDS TO adjust in the AHL first.

 

[kovazub94]

But I feel like the eye test is a lot more subjective. Sure stats can be read in different ways, but less so than the eye test. I don't think "eye test" pointing in the different direction means that the eye test needs to be weighted at 33% here. And even if the eye test is not as subjective as I say how many people here are qualified to actually judge by the eye test correctly. We're not pro scouts.

There are posters here who’s eye test I’d trust way more than advance stats. In all cases you need to be able to apply appropriate context which makes the group of good eye-test and analytics posters even smaller.

 

[Leetch3]

 

[kovazub94]

Hopefully soon we won't need to hear black and gold and Schneider's name in the same sentence.

 

[Leetch3]

Hopefully soon we won't need to hear black and gold and Schneider's name in the same sentence.

8 more games...

 

[rangersfansince08]

He can't arrive soon enough. Hopefully we don't neuter him.

Great pick.

 

[jay from jersey]

I rarely agree with True Blue but i agree here. I think Schneider is as ready as Lundqvist and it will come down to need. I was really impressed with the way Schneider moves and handled the puck in the WJC and the physicality is obvious. Of course, they can both make it if we make other changes.

I hope it's a hell of a battle, because I like both guys a lot.

Lundkvist should have the inside track --- he's arguably a finalist in the discussion for best defensive prospect outside the NHL/AHL right now.

Schneider has nothing left to prove in the WHL at this point and could play in the AHL right now as a regular. I think he's NHL bound sooner rather than later.

But, if I were going to place bets, today, I would say Lundkvist starts on the opening night roster and Schneider eats up a ton of minutes in the AHL, possibly with Robertson.

Robertson is another one who is going to challenge for a spot sooner rather than later.

This is the plan IMO. Even if Schneider proves ready I think the stow him in Hartford for half a year tops playing heavy minutes in all situations. I doubt him or lundkvist going to Hartford would be a whole season thing. One of them is going to be moved in a package for an upgrade elsewhere on the roster. I like Lundkvist a lot, but with Fox being a Demi-god and lindgren despite playing rough and physical mobile style, is also on the smaller side. the rangers want to be bigger and more imposing on the backend. They moved up for Miller, moved up for Schneider, signed/traded for Trouba. It’s pretty plain to see that they want their D to be big mobile and play with an edge. Management is also very high on Robertson. Having said all that, I can’t see the rangers run a top 6 with Fox, lundkvist, and Jones in it. While very talented, it’s too small and easy for larger teams to impose their will

 

[TheBloodyNine]

This is the plan IMO. Even if Schneider proves ready I think the stow him in Hartford for half a year tops playing heavy minutes in all situations. I doubt him or lundkvist going to Hartford would be a whole season thing. One of them is going to be moved in a package for an upgrade elsewhere on the roster. I like Lundkvist a lot, but with Fox being a Demi-god and lindgren despite playing rough and physical mobile style, is also on the smaller side. the rangers want to be bigger and more imposing on the backend. They moved up for Miller, moved up for Schneider, signed/traded for Trouba. It’s pretty plain to see that they want their D to be big mobile and play with an edge. Management is also very high on Robertson. Having said all that, I can’t see the rangers run a top 6 with Fox, lundkvist, and Jones in it. While very talented, it’s too small and easy for larger teams to impose their will

If anything can be said about the last couple of games the Rangers have played lately, it’s that this team needs what Schneider brings way more than what Lundkvist does.

 

[Edge]

If anything can be said about the last couple of games the Rangers have played lately, it’s that this team needs what Schneider brings way more than what Lundkvist does.

I think it also points to the fact that Trouba isn't going anywhere any time soon.

 

[jay from jersey]

If anything can be said about the last couple of games the Rangers have played lately, it’s that this team needs what Schneider brings way more than what Lundkvist does.

That and if I’m a guy like Goodrow or Copp I’m licking my chops come free agency. They could parlay their skill sets into a nice long term deal since the rangers have 35 million available

the beasts of the East are replenishing their ranks with guys like Frederic, Beecher, studnicka, mcmicheal, Hathaway, etc. even the devils are not pushovers. I don’t even want to talk about how the isles man handle us, it makes me physically sick. The rangers have done a fine job of accumulating high end talent. If they aren’t going to draft players to protect their investment they sure as shit better pay for it in free agency or trade for it

 

[Barnaby]

I think it also points to the fact that Trouba isn't going anywhere any time soon.

For all the criticism Trouba gets, there is a pretty glaring hole on this roster without him. Sure, he'd ideally be making a couple million less, but the defense is a tire fire without him.

 

[Barnaby]

It should be interesting to see how the defense shakes out next season. You have to assume that Zac Jones and Matthew Robertson will be competing for a spot on LD while Lundkvist and Schneider fight for a place at RD. It will be also be interesting to see how the battles effect each other since I don't see a scenario where they routinely play Jones/Lundkvist next to each other. It also might be a good idea to bring in a vet 7D especially if Hajek gets plucked by Seattle.

If they decide to start Robertson/Jones in the AHL then I wouldn't be against Jamie Oleksiak on the left side. He would def bring some much needed size to the equation.

 

[Tob]

For all the criticism Trouba gets, there is a pretty glaring hole on this roster without him. Sure, he'd ideally be making a couple million less, but the defense is a tire fire without him.

The meteoric rise of Jacob Trouba's value in the 10 days he's been out of the lineup is probably the greatest in his career in that span.

 

[Barnaby]

The meteoric rise of Jacob Trouba's value in the 10 days he's been out of the lineup is probably the greatest in his career in that span.

Only in Rangerland does your value increase while sitting out injured...

 

[rangersfansince08]

I'm never going to complain about Trouba's contract again.

Lindgren-Fox
Miller-Trouba
Robertson-Schneider

should be tough to play against if Miller starts using his size.

 

[jay from jersey]

The meteoric rise of Jacob Trouba's value in the 10 days he's been out of the lineup is probably the greatest in his career in that span.

You’ll still find people on here who swear up and down that he sucks. He’s a stabilizing force in the top 4 and a nice warm security blanket for miller. I’ll wager shesty misses his size and snarl while the other team is piled in front of his net as well. But I digress....

 

[Synergy27]

I think it also points to the fact that Trouba isn't going anywhere any time soon.

Trouba is clearly needed in the team despite his limitations. He would be loved here if he made $2-3M less per year.

 

[Edge]

Trouba is clearly needed in the team despite his limitations. He would be loved here if he made $2-3M less per year.

Unfortunately, I think the impact he has on most teams is probably why he doesn’t make $2-$3m less.

 

[Kodiak]

I'm never going to complain about Trouba's contract again.

Lindgren-Fox
Miller-Trouba
Robertson-Schneider

should be tough to play against if Miller starts using his size.

We need someone besides Fox to be able to move the puck up ice.

 

[rangersfansince08]

We need someone besides Fox to be able to move the puck up ice.

Replace Robertson with Jones then.

 

[Captain Monglobster]

I cant wait to see the wake of destruction when this kid finally puts on a Rangers sweater.

 

[Leetch3]

 

[cwede]

btw Robertson got some kudos too
WHL Names 2020-21 Central Division All-Star Team – WHL Network

Defenceman Matthew Robertson (Edmonton Oil Kings): The steady Robertson put up 22 points (4G-18A) during the 2020-21 season, finishing tops among WHL defencemen in plus/minus with a career best +26. The 6-foot-4, 210-pound blueliner helped the Oil Kings finish the season with the best record in the WHL. A prospect of the New York Rangers, the Sherwood Park, Alta. product has recorded 127 points (31G-96A) in 208 WHL regular season games.