LOS ANGELES — Braden Schneider’s expanded role this season may have come out of necessity more than anything else, but it was overdue for a young defenseman who had been pigeonholed through most of his five years with the Rangers.
The payoff has not been what the organization thought it could be when former general manager Jeff Gorton traded up three spots to draft him with the No. 19 pick in 2020.
His previous top four looks — albeit brief — were not nearly as woeful as his run of 21 games on the first pairing alongside Vladislav Gavrikov. It certainly factored into GM Chris Drury arriving at his retooling decision last week.
Schneider was on the ice for three of the Kings’ four goals in Tuesday’s loss. The go-ahead score for the Kings bobbled off his stick in the second period.
