There were rumors before the shortened season started, that the Rangers were looking to sign their "other" first round pick from 2020, defenseman Braden Schneider, to a pro contract.  Things couldn't be worked out then, but yesterday the team officially announced that they have come to terms on a three year entry level contract that will begin next season.

The 19 year old defender will be eligible to play for the Wolf Pack next season as a 20 year old, and while there's a chance he could compete in next year's training camp, it would seem likely that he'll start his pro career there.

Back in October, the Rangers traded the 22nd overall pick (acquired from Carolina in exchange for Brady Skjei) and the 72nd overall pick in the third round to Calgary in exchange for the 19th overall pick, and a chance to select Schneider.

A bit of a throwback defenseman, in that he likes to take the body and play a physical game, Schneider surprised some, who thought the Rangers might go for a Center, an area they are yet to address in the organization.  For the Rangers' part, they felt he was clearly ahead of the other prospects on offer, and as such took the opportunity to move up and grab him.

Due to a delay to the WHL season, Schneider played two games for the Wolf Pack before being reassigned last month back to the Brandon Wheat Kings, where he'll complete their shortened schedule.

Terms: 3 years with AAV of $925,0000

In another move, the Rangers also converted the AHL contracted Mason Geertsen to an NHL contract, adding yet more size to the stable of defenders.  At 6-4 and 220lbs, the 25 year old Canadian defender, combines size and physicality to deliver your classical stay-at-home defenseman style of player.

Brought in last season on an AHL contract after Colorado declined to qualify him - he was drafted by the Avalanche in 2013 in the fourth round - he appeared in 60 games for the Wolf Pack, recording no goals and just 8 assists.  He did however add 109 penalty minutes, the third straight season in the AHL where he's recorded at least 100 penalty minutes.

Still, it's a bit of a curiosity that he's been signed to a contract.  While the Rangers do have the room - he's the 45th of 50 allowed contradts - to add him, it appears the propsects of him appearing in the NHL any time soon are pretty remote.  He was unable to break through with the Avalanche, and at 25 the chances seem low that he'll evolve his game much further.

Terms: 2 years with AAV of $725,000.