Meh, Schneider is still 23, which is insanely young for an NHL D man (and one of the reasons I want people to realize how much potential Byram has, even if he has warts - he’s a 23 year old playing 22+ mins and already has a Cup; people comparing him to KAM saying we already have a LHD who has brain farts are forgetting KAM is 25).
Schneider is 23 and has 18 goals, 69 points in 286 NHL games, averaging 16:20 per night so far in his career. Plus 43 playoff games for a total of 329 games.
Borgen is 28 and has 13 goals, 68 points in 298 career games, averaging 16:46 per night so far in his career. He’s appeared in 14 playoff games for a total of 312 games.
Schneider is 5 years younger, has nearly played the same regular season games and averaged the same minutes, put up the same points and more goals in slightly fewer games and has more playoff experience. He’s been credited with 520 hits and 460 blocks and is a +22. Borgen’s been credited with 651 hits and 367 blocks and is a -6.
They’re essentially the same player already, but Schneider is about to enter his prime years and Borgen has maybe 2-3 prime year left.
“Can we get Will Borgen, mom?”
“We have Will Borgen at home.”
I believe Schneider and Miller both deserve patience yet (and also believe Byram is a tremendous buy-low opportunity on a potential 2/3 caliber puck mover with elite skating - something we don’t have). Age 23 is so young for a defender.
In fact, I’d personally be on board for a year of growing pains with:
Byram - Fox
Miller - Schneider
Soucy - Borgen
It’s a top four with lots of upside and potential. Give it a chance. I find it more appealing than giving Gavrikov 8M x7. Replace Soucy after a year.