Rangers Sign Schneider

Defenseman Mathieu Schneider was traded to the New York Rangers by the Toronto Maple Leafs Wednesday for defenseman Alexander Karpovtsev and a fourth-round 1999 draft pick.

Schneider, a much traveled restricted free agent without a contract, did not attend training camp and missed the Leafs' first two regular-season games. Last season, his ninth in the NHL, Schneider scored 11 goals, assisted on 26 and had 44 minutes in penalties in 76 games.

The 29-year-old Schneider had been seeking $3.3 million a year from the Maple Leafs, who had countered with $2.8 million. He made $2.5 million last season.

Karpovtsev, 28, is in his fifth NHL season out of Moscow Dynamo. He had nine goals, 29 assists and 59 minutes in penalties in 77 games last season.

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