NHL Rumors: Sharks & Rangers Becoming Trade Partners

Friday, February 27, 2026 ,
New York Rangers defenseman Braden Schneider skates with puck during 2025 game.

The San Jose Sharks have been poking around the New York Rangers as the March 6 trade deadline nears, and it sounds like their shopping list includes Braden Schneider. 

David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period has connected San Jose to Schneider, which fits a Sharks team trying to build forward without waiting years to fix its blue line, which is definitely their weakest spot.

Sharks interest in Braden Schneider is about roster fit

Schneider checks a lot of boxes for a team like San Jose: he is 24, plays the right side, brings size, and can handle real minutes even if the results have been bumpy this year on a horrible Rangers team. 

The Sharks do not exactly have a pipeline overflowing with long-term right-shot defenders, so it makes sense they would look at a controllable option instead of paying a premium for a pure rental. 

This season, Schneider has recorded two goals, 11 points, a -15 plus/minus rating, 91 blocked shots, and 123 hits across 57 games played. He has stepped into a bigger role, however, as he's averaging 20:19 time on ice per game, which is just under three minutes more than last season.

Rangers trade talks could turn Schneider into a real deadline name

If New York is truly in asset conversion mode after recent moves, a young defenseman who is still developing can become a legitimate trade chip if the return helps reset the roster for the next window. 

Schneider was a first-round pick (19th overall) by the Rangers in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. Over his five-year NHL career, he has put up 20 goals, 80 total points, a +7 plus/minus rating, 551 blocks, and 643 hits across 343 games played. 

Photo Credit: Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images

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