Braden Schneider, to no fault of his own, has had his fair share of criticism even before he became a regular with the Rangers. Most viewed his spot in the lineup as a choice between him and Nils Lundkvist, when in reality it was Lundkvist vs. Adam Fox. Naturally, we know who wins that. Regardless of the flawed logic in having just one quality puck moving defenseman, Schneider made the Rangers and has been a kid the Rangers look to for a stabilized third pair.
Under Gerard Gallant, the third pair was designed to be a low-event, defense-first pairing.