Senators Sign Cole Schneider to One-Year, Two-Way Contract

The Ottawa Senators locked up one of their restricted free agents on Thursday.

News Release: The #Sens have agreed to terms with forward Cole Schneider on a one-year, two-way contract: http://t.co/SaTZ7L1sZM

— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) July 2, 2015

#Sens deal for Schneider will be for $700,000 in the NHL and $110,000 in the AHL.

— Sens communications (@Media_Sens) July 2, 2015

After playing two years with the University of Connecticut Huskies, Schneider has played his entire professional career with the Binghamton Senators. Signed to an entry-level contract in 2012, he has gone on to score 149 points in 209 AHL games. He has also put up two points in seven career AHL playoff games. In 2014-15, he set career-highs in goals (29), points (58), and shots on goal (174). As a non-fighter, only putting up 14 penalty minutes in 69 games shows a considerable amount of discipline.

The biggest problem for Schneider is that although his play may have earned a call-up, he's unlikely to see one soon. Binghamton forwards such as Matt Puempel, Shane Prince, and even Buddy Robinson appear more likely to see action with the big club next year than Schneider. Schneider's birthday is August 26th, making him just under two months too young to have become a Group VI unrestricted free agent. Ottawa won't have that luxury again next year unless he somehow plays 80 NHL games. It seems likely that if Schneider doesn't get a chance to ply his trade with the big club next year, he could make like Derek Grant and head to greener pastures in the 2016 offseason.