Colorado Avalanche Draft Profile: Two-Way Defenseman Braden Schneider

The Colorado Avalanche might use their first-round pick on a two-way defenseman, Braden Schneider, who could augment their blueline.

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The Colorado Avalanche are gearing up to let their players into team facilities for Phase 2 of the NHL’s response to the COVID-19 crisis. Indeed, it looks like the players will have access to the Pepsi Center specifically.

Meanwhile, the team scouts are sure to be preparing for the 2020 NHL Draft, which will almost certainly be virtual. The NHL had floated the idea of a June draft out there, but the majority of teams eschewed the idea.

Nonetheless, the scouts have to be compiling their draft boards with the available players and what the team needs. The Colorado Avalanche don’t get to call in their selection until #27.

Will defenseman Braden Schneider still be available by that selection? It’s hard to say. He’s ranked #9 for North American skaters. However, scouts have him going as high as #13 and as low as #46. That’s a pretty wide variance.

Schneider is a good-sized defenseman — 6-foot-2, 209 pounds — who’s going to turn 19 in September. Indeed, that may even be before the draft takes place. So, you can get a pretty good idea of what you’re getting in the prospect.

Braden Schneider Stats

Braden Schneider has already completed three seasons in the WHL for the Brandon Wheat Kings. He’s played a total of 184 games for the Wheat Kings.

He hasn’t racked up big offensive numbers in that time. He’s recorded 9 goals and 88 assists for 97 points. His best year was this last season when he recorded 7 goals and 35 assists for 42 points.

Schneider has also represented Canada in international events. He wore the C as captain in the WHC-17 tournament — he recorded a goal and an assist for two points. He played in the WJC-18, earning 2 goals and 1 assist in 7 games.

Braden Schneider Highlights

Braden Schneider is a classic two-way defenseman, which explains why his offensive numbers haven’t been sky high.

Here’s what Mike Morreale of NHL.com says of the prospect:

"“A two-way right-shot defenseman who is capable of playing the power play and penalty kill with great competitiveness and smarts.”"

It’s good to see he can spend time on both the power play and penalty kill.

Bill Placzek of DraftSite has an intriguing description of him:

"“Big strong defender who has some nasty sprinkled on top. Will never be mistaken for a new age defenseman, he does make smart decisions as an attacker on both the power play and even strength. This big man is good in his pivots, an excellent puck mover, and a crisp passer in transition.”"

I love a player with a touch of nasty in his game.

Here’s Braden Schneider in action:

I like the look of his game. I wish they had that “touch of nasty” sprinkled into the clips, though.

Colorado Avalanche and Braden Schneider

As noted, Braden Schneider could get drafted well before the Avalanche call in their selection, or he could still be on the board.

I like how Schneider plays. However, I don’t think he’s the kind of player the Avs will pick up in the first round. I expect them to select a forward unless a really exciting defenseman drops to the #27 slot.

That said, Colorado needs a two-way defenseman to be coming up the pike. They don’t have that much in their current prospect pool.

Regardless of who the Colorado Avalanche draft, the player won’t even have a chance of making the AHL team for at least two to three years. We’re looking at the future — and it’s bright for the Avs.