The Montreal Canadiens have made a depth signing with the addition of defenceman Corey Schueneman. The contract is for one year with a cap hit of $750,000 if he is at the NHL level. This isn’t a huge move, but it adds another blueline option for the taxi squad if any roster adjustments are necessary. The team announced the deal Friday morning.
The Canadiens announced today that the team has agreed to terms on a one-year contract with defenseman Corey Schueneman.#GoHabsGo https://t.co/OJlb5ZqW63
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) April 2, 2021
Canadiens Sign Corey Schueneman
The 25-year-old Schueneman has quietly had a fine year with Montreal’s AHL affiliate in Laval. He has three goals and seven points in 21 games at the time of this deal. Those aren’t eye-popping stats, but he is third among Laval defenders in scoring. Additionally, he posted three goals and 21 points in 2019-20 with the AHL club in Stockton. Scheuneman’s stats obviously don’t grab one’s attention, but it seems like acceptable production for a potential third-pairing defender.
Schueneman has a very unremarkable history. He was a solid contributor with the Des Moines Buccaneers starting in 2012-13 through 2014-15. He then attended Western Michigan University, where the Michigan native collected 14 goals and 82 points in 144 games. The undrafted blueliner has an average frame at 6’0″, 200-pounds and projects as someone who is called up in the case of emergencies.
What This Means For The Future
If nothing else, Schueneman has achieved some measure of financial security with this deal. He will make $175,000 even if he stays at the AHL level. He may not possess any of the upside of any of Montreal’s other young defenders, but he is experienced enough to be at least replacement-level in an emergency.
There is a very real chance that the Canadiens consider Schueneman in some sort of depth role in 2021-22. While they don’t need him this year or have significant pending free agents, they might trade from their current farm system for immediate reinforcements. Those same reinforcements may be rentals, so anyone traded for them opens up roster space for next year. The Seattle expansion draft may also create an opportunity for Schueneman to battle in training camp. There is certainly more to this move below the surface stats.
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