A reunion with a former top 5 pick could solidify the Leafs' blueline
One of the most underrated seasons in the NHL this year belongs to a former Leaf. Drafted 5th overall by the Leafs in 2008, Luke Schenn may have fallen short of expectations at the start of his NHL career, but he has been having a solid season for the Vancouver Canucks this year. He has one of the best value contracts in the NHL, making just $850K. He's also signed through 2023 for what that's worth.
If the Vancouver Canucks are serious about rebuilding, they should consider selling high on Luke Schenn. One team that should inquire about Schenn's services is the team that drafted him, the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Schenn checks many boxes for the Leafs on the back end. In fact, he could be this year's Zach Bogosian for the Buds. Schenn has been excellent defensively for the Canucks, playing mostly with young Quinn Hughes. Schenn's abilities have allowed for Hughes to play his own style, similar to what T.J. Brodie does for Morgan Rielly. Schenn also plays a playoff style of hockey. He throws his weight around and there is evidence of that in the 32-year-old setting a Canucks franchise record for most hits in a game (12) back on January 31st.
One of the biggest issues for the Leafs' defense this season has been clearing the front of the net. Looking at many of the goals that have gone in recently, while Jack Campbell has struggled, there were plenty of instances where there was traffic in front of him, causing some chaos. Having Luke Schenn would help with this problem.
He's not a great puck mover, so in order for this reunion to work out the Leafs would need to deploy him properly. A bottom pair of Luke Schenn and Rasmus Sandin could end up being one of the better third pairings that the Leafs have had in the salary cap era. Schenn's defensive abilities would allow for Sandin to flourish and the two would become an x-factor for the Leafs come playoff time.
It would cost less to acquire the Saskatoon, Saskatchewan native than some of the more prominent names on the board going into the trade deadline. Him having another year under contract after 2022 makes him an even more valuable piece in a trade. Luke Schenn would provide the Leafs with quality defensive depth, which can be invaluable down the stretch and in the postseason.
Schenn knows what it takes to win the Stanley Cup, which could be the most important factor of all. He's coming off back-to-back cups with the Tampa Bay Lightning and his defensive abilities and physical play could do wonders for the Leafs in the playoffs. It may not have worked out with the Leafs in 2008, but 14 years later, Schenn is a defender that likely gets the Leafs closer to challenging for a Stanley Cup - or at the very least, he's a low-risk option that doesn't hurt their chances.
