Schneiderman #23

Home

Schneiderman #23

Matt fits in well with the players and team, Making us believe time and time again Ken made another great trade. Glad to have you Schneiderman!!

Schneider's Game Starts To Sparkle

NEW YORK -- There was a sense last season that the Red Wings didn't really see the best of defenseman Mathieu Schneider

Acquired at the trade deadline from the Los Angeles Kings, Schneider jumped into the Wings lineup and played 17 games.

This season, with a full training camp, Schneider looks comfortable. In fact, since being paired with Nick Lidstrom, he is thriving.

"I've really enjoyed playing with Nick," said Schneider, who took Derian Hatcher's spot when Hatcher went out because of a knee injury.

"We see a lot of the same things on the ice. It's been a little bit of an adjustment playing on the right side, but Nick never gives me the puck when there's trouble."

Schneider scored for the Wings on Saturday in their 3-1 loss to the New York Rangers. He has a goal and five assists -- six points -- in eight games.

"I'm experimenting a little bit (on the right side), but each game I've felt more comfortable," Schneider said. "There are different challenges we face, but it's worked out pretty well."

Coach Dave Lewis has been pleased with the way Schneider has begun this season.

"He's played well physically, he's been good from a position standpoint, and he's had to relearn playing on the right side," Lewis said. "His shot has always been tremendous, and it still is.

"All that is why he's an All-Star. When you watch him night in and night out, you can appreciate how good he really is."

Schneider was drafted in the third round (44th overall) of the 1987 NHL Entry Draft by the Montreal Canadiens. In 1992-93, Schneider earned his first Stanley Cup ring with Montreal, finishing second among team defensemen with 44 points in 60 games. The following season he led the club's blueliners in scoring with 52 points (20 goals, 32 assists). An April 5, 1995 deal sent Schneider, Kirk Muller and Craig Darby to the New York Islanders in exchange for Vladimir Malakhov and Pierre Turgeon. In 1995-96, Schneider played in his first All-Star Game, finishing first amongst Islander rearguards in scoring (11 goals, 36 assists). The veteran defender, who has also played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers and Los Angeles Kings, played in his 800th NHL game, Jan. 9, 2002. Schneider was traded to the Detroit Red Wings in 2003.