I know we're going a little overboard with the number of appreciation threads we have on around here, but one guy who deserves a thread to himself is Luke Schenn. After a sub-par and inconsistent sophomore season last year Schenn has been absolutely tremendous since Game 1 of this season and has never looked back.
He has currently posted (compared to other defenseman):
5G-16A-21pts (2nd for scoring on team from defense)
239 Hits (1st on team/1st leaguewide)
163 Blks (1st on team/11th leaguewide)
37 Takeaways (1st on team from defense/22nd leaguewide)
22:28 TOI/G (2nd on team/48th leaguewide)
18:42 ES TOI/G (2nd on team/21st leaguewide)
2:48 SH TOI/G (1st on team/42nd leaguewide)
He is on pace to post career highs in points (22pts up from 17pts), hits (251 up from 206), blks (171 up from 116), TOI (22:28 from 21:32)..etc
The best part is, this kid is only 21 and he's in his third year with the Leafs! He's a homegrown talent who Fletcher went to great measures to ensure was drafted and has been thoroughly developed right out of Junior with the big club. He is truly a cornerstone player for this franchise due to his consistent steady effort on the defensive side of the game and his exciting budding abilities on the offensive side. Schenn has the perfect frame for a defenseman, a great skating stride and hits like a truck -- a lot. He is future captain material and his apprenticeship under Kaberle has done wonders in improving his offensive awareness while I'm sure being on a Phaneuf-captained Leafs team is teaching him a lot about what it takes to lead a team. He has so much upside that he is still discovering, it's truly an exciting pleasure watching him improve game after game, and season after season.
Now let's enjoy Schenn's pretty first goal he scored this season:
And his end-to-ender against Boston!:
Last edited by HockeyThoughts: 03-31-2011 at 11:00 PM.
One big stat you missed, ES TOI
tied for 1st on the Leafs, 6th in the NHL
the only players in the NHL with more ES TOI/game are Duncan Kieth, Lubomir Visnovsky, Brent Seabrook, Zdeno Chara and Kieth Yandle. Of these players the only one with a higher +/- than Schenn is Zdeno Chara. That says something.
Remember when Schenn couldn't do a proper slap shot? He's never going to be Coffey, but you can see a semblance of an offensive game developing right before our eyes. I bet he becomes a 35 point guy one season.
One big stat you missed, ES TOI
tied for 1st on the Leafs, 6th in the NHL
the only players in the NHL with more ES TOI/game are Duncan Kieth, Lubomir Visnovsky, Brent Seabrook, Zdeno Chara and Kieth Yandle. Of these players the only one with a higher +/- than Schenn is Zdeno Chara. That says something.
Thanks, great stat I added it into the OP.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cool Beans Man
Luke Schenn has been the Leafs best player this season IMO.
It's what we expected, and we're lucky to have him.
Who got drafted 12th that year again?
If you look at the draft as of now the Schenn pick is actually looking ridiculously savvy. The only players performing at the level Schenn is that were drafted in the 1st round in 2008
Perhaps one day based on past NHL experience:
Myers (12th overall)
Karlsson (15th overall)
It may be a little to early to evaluate a draft that only occured 2 years ago, where the players are only ~21 but seeing as Schenn is a defenseman which is one of the slowest developing positions, I'd say its pretty fair to compare him to other players. If anything we must be acknowledge he has heavily outperformed players that we realistically could have taken with the 5th overall pick i.e. Filatov, Boedker, Hodgson, Wilson, Bailey.
He's so calm and steady out there and definitely understands his own speed now, thus controlling the gap much better so he's less frequently caught flat footed or unable to challenge the opponent. His pinches are better and I absolutely love seeing him successfully pull off some dekes and finally getting his shots through. Attention seems to be mostly on other areas of the Leafs this year since the media seems so obsessed with disorder, so they've largely glossed over Schenn's progress. I wouldn't say that about the Leafs game broadcasters though, because they do comment about Schenn's play frequently.
Took it to the main forums, hope you dont mind me quoting you, Arjun and Kris Versteeg. If you have a problem, let me know and I'll drop your informative quotes.
Took it to the main forums, hope you dont mind me quoting you, Arjun and Kris Versteeg. If you have a problem, let me know and I'll drop your informative quotes.
An amazing season for Schenn so far. He's really rebounded from last year and is stepping his game up. I'm amazed at how much time he spends on the ice at even strength and still has that nice +/-. Can see all the effort he's put into improving his shooting paying off as well.
Really easily the best dman on the team this year. If I can ever find some free money definitely getting his jersey.
If you look at the draft as of now the Schenn pick is actually looking ridiculously savvy. The only players performing at the level Schenn is that were drafted in the 1st round in 2008
Perhaps one day based on past NHL experience:
Myers (12th overall)
Karlsson (15th overall)
It may be a little to early to evaluate a draft that only occured 2 years ago, where the players are only ~21 but seeing as Schenn is a defenseman which is one of the slowest developing positions, I'd say its pretty fair to compare him to other players. If anything we must be acknowledge he has heavily outperformed players that we realistically could have taken with the 5th overall pick i.e. Filatov, Boedker, Hodgson, Wilson, Bailey.
Most definitely. I just find it comical how people were crying over Myers being drafted and how Schenn was a one-hit wonder. Just a little 35 game sophomore slump, especially after putting on so much weight.
Now Myers is going through it. He'll get out. He's got great potential too.
great thread although i believe there is a greater thread regarding Schenner but thanks again, people really need to realize the best leafs this season.
Schenn has been awesome, definatly worth the place we picked him at. He has definatly dispelled those people that were saying trade him and he is a bust because he went through a common sophmore slump.
