Braden Schneider feels like he’s been in the NHL for awhile, but at the same time, like he’s scratching the surface.
Both statements can be true for the 22-year-old defenseman, who stepped on to the Rangers blue line as a rookie just over two years ago and has since skated in all but three of the club’s regular-season games and every playoff contest.
This was, however, a unique season in comparison to the past two.
One that started with Schneider working through the first rocky stretch of his short-yet-substantial career and ended with an increased workload that came with a top-four opportunity.
“My last couple years were eventful in the sense that I had a lot of different pairings and stuff, but this year I feel like I’ve grown a lot as a player,” Schneider told Ttold The Post before the Rangers’ cleaned up a trifecta of regular-season accomplishments with a 4-0 win over the Senators on Monday night. “My start, I wasn’t the happiest with where I wanted to be and I knew I had so much more to grow. Coming down the stretch, it definitely feels good knowing that you’ve worked hard and earned a bit more minutes and a role. I think I’ve just got to keep going with that and keep riding that confidence.
“I got an opportunity when [Jacob] Trouba was out and I think that really helped grow my game a lot. I think that gave me the confidence to know who I am and to run with it.”
Schneider may have first been paired with K’Andre Miller before the All-Star break because Trouba was suspended — and then again for an 11-game stretch when the Rangers captain was injured — but the Canadian blueliner skated in that spot for a second straight game Monday because it’s working best for the Rangers right now.
Part of that is due to Trouba’s struggles since returning from the injury, but Schneider also earned the opportunity after more than adequately filling in the top-four role.
After adjusting to head coach Peter Laviolette’s detailed system, Schneider regained his steady presence on the bottom pairing alongside Erik Gustafsson.
In addition to the five goals and 14 assists he brought into Monday’s game, Schneider was also ranked second on the Rangers in blocks with 130.
In the 258:40 of ice time Schneider logged with Miller, the two young defensemen had been on the ice for 14 Rangers goals and 14 against, according to Natural Stat Trick.
They looked steadier than the numbers say, but the Rangers have also gone 12-2 in games where Schneider has started next to Miller.
There’s a solid chance Laviolette goes back to the arrangement the Rangers used for a majority of the season to start Game 1 of the first round this weekend, with Trouba on the right of Miller.
Should the Rangers find themselves in need of change or a jolt in the playoffs, the Miller-Schneider pairing would presumably be an option for Laviolette.
Schneider, who is set to become a restricted free agent without arbitration rights this summer after his entry-level contract expires, will come out of the season having gone through some personal adversity and challenges that have forced him to take the next step.
There will likely be several more just like it in the future.
If this season was any indication, however, Schneider will be better for it.
“I feel I have a lot more confidence in my ability and how to put myself into the game and what I can do to be effective each night,” Schneider said. “I mean, the last couple games, I feel like I’ve wanted to make something happen. Whether it’s with the puck or without the puck, I feel a lot more confident skating with the puck through the ice. A lot more confident with getting the puck there, to the net.
“I think offensively, diving down into the play, looking for someone getting out. I feel like I’ve really gotten a grip and an understanding of the way we want to play.”
Artemi Panarin was named the Blueshirts’ Most Valuable Player by members of the media, while the team voted Jonathan Quick for the Players’ Player Award, given to the player who “best exemplifies what it means to be a team player.”
