Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Roman Schmidt has been sent back down to the Kitchener Rangers, after beginning the season with the AHL Syracuse Crunch.
Lockdown defender Roman Schmidt has been returned to the OHL's Kitchener Rangers after beginning the season in the American Hockey League with Syracuse. Schmidt got into just one game with the Crunch, where he got one assist.
Schmidt plays an "AHL style-of-game" by being difficult to play against, and being strong & physical. His 6-foot-5, 210-pound frame makes him a "man amongst boys" in the Ontario Hockey League. Schmidt is a force to be reckoned with, and a defender that smaller forwards should avoid going into the corners with. He may not be ready for the AHL this season, but he projects as a reliable, tough defender at that level in Syracuse.
Schmidt — drafted 3rd round in the 2021 NHL Draft — will be an anchor on the Rangers' defensive core. This will be his third season with the club, and he was vital in last year's playoff run.
The Rangers re-acquire Schmidt for the remainder of the season, who adds to their — already-strong — depth on defence. Their top six now consists of four NHL-affiliated players; Brzustewicz (VAN), Hamara (OTT), Andonovski (OTT), & now Schmidt (TBL). Additionally, they have first round OHL Draft pick Cam Reid, who is currently representing Canada at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.
Additionally, the Rangers currently have four overage players on their roster with the acquisition of Roman Schmidt, while the OHL legal maximum is three. Mitchell Martin, one of the OA's, has recently been injured and is listed as week-to-week. Until Martin returns, Schmidt will be able to play. The Rangers have some buffer time to make the decision, but at some point they will have to get-rid of one of their OA players.