Leafs trade Schenn to Flyers for Van Riemsdyk

[Kuzzy Powers]

The Philadelphia Flyers have acquired Luke Schenn from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for James van Riemsdyk.
The Philadelphia Flyers had some question marks defensively going into the summer with Chris Pronger (concussion) questionable for the start of next season and Matt Carle still unsigned, so this is a huge boost for them. This deal will also unite Luke with his brother, Brayden Schenn.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=635961&navid=DL|NHL|home

[wingsfan77]

Don't really know that much about the new Schenn, leaffan what's the word? I see he's a right handed shot which is something the Flyers desperately needed on defense.

[Guest]

Solid move for the Flyers, who definitely shore themselves up defensively. This is a question for leaffan, but what happened to Schenn in Toronto? His star was bright as could be entering the league, so what happened?

[Kuzzy Powers]

Schenn is a solid defensive guy.. it just doesnt show up in the stat sheet. He was pretty quiet last year tho. Not sure how I feel about the move but JVR has some potential and we got a lot of defensive depth.

[sraczk2011]

Schenn played like a bottom-pairing defenseman last year and even spent some time as a healthy scratch. His Corsi entered the Komisarek zone even though he faced easier opposition than Komisarek. I assume that he'll bounce back, but I like the trade for the Leafs.

[leaffan]

Don't really know that much about the new Schenn, leaffan what's the word? I see he's a right handed shot which is something the Flyers desperately needed on defense.

Right handed shot but rarely used it.

He was being used as a bottom pairing guy near the end of the year mainly because his foot speed wasn't up enough to keep up with higher end players. Probably one of the best hitters in the league (I believe he's lead all dman in hits in the last two years) and is a good shot blocker. His problem (this is imo) was Ron Wilson's style and he would get caught out of position frequently which would lead to break aways and such. He has to get faster and become more mobile and basically continue to learn and grow.

[leaffan]

Solid move for the Flyers, who definitely shore themselves up defensively. This is a question for leaffan, but what happened to Schenn in Toronto? His star was bright as could be entering the league, so what happened?

He was brought into the NHL way to fast and had too high of expectations put on him thanks to the original mangement (before burke). He also never quite fit the old system the leafs ran which involved a lot of aggression on the forcheck and pinching. This would cause Schenn to be on the bench anytime the top 2 lines were out and he never could develop a top pairing role.

I honestly think if he was brought in when Burke was around (in the sense burke drafted him) he would of been sent back to Jr. his first year and then would of played in the AHL for a couple years. His devolpment would of been a lot better. You have to remember though back in the days he was drafted the leafs were in a "rebuild" state but it was done totally improperly. Schenn playing that year was just a glaring problem with the old management. It didn't help him at all and if anything slowed progression down.

[leaffan]

I sit on the fence with this trade. I like JVR but I've always like Schenn and wish he could of been developed better instead of thrown into the spotlight like he is. The leafs have an absolute ton of defensive prospects who are going to be going after NHL spots and I feel like Schenn was going to be left out in the cold on it.

JVR fills a huge need and thats more size in the top 6. He'll play with Grabo on the second line with hopefully Kulemin and that should provide a tougher dynamic instead of a guy like Clark MacArthur who seemed to always just be thrown in there.

[wingsfan77]

JVR might add size but doesn't use it at all. He's a finesse player in a power forward's body.

[Berowsk]

JVR might add size but doesn't use it at all. He's a finesse player in a power forward's body.

This.

When I first heard what happened and a bunch of my Indiana friends were questioning Holmgren's decision making with texts, the only thing I could think of that happened is this. Flyers were really close to acquiring Yandle for JVR. I think the Coyotes pulled out of the trade, leaving us stranded after drafting yet another young power forward last night. I'm thinking that Brayden Schenn's agent made a last minute push for his brothers acquisition after the Yandle trade didn't pan out last night.

[leaffan]

JVR might add size but doesn't use it at all. He's a finesse player in a power forward's body.

Which is fine because they've needed players that are bigger and won't get knocked off the puck as easily.

[Berowsk]

JVR was incredibly underrated, especially by our own fans. After the 2007 draft where they switched to the lottery and we lost out on the first overall pick (Patrick Kane), fans have looked at JVR with a taste of bitterness. I've always loved the guy, think he'll soon be a great pro. Hopefully he'll shine for the Leafs.

I love Luke Schenn, too. Dude's just so much fun to watch when he's hitting well.

He'll do just fine with us.

[leaffan]

Here's a semi boring play but this is what Schenn does when he's on his game.

He's not a trash talker and he tries to play very good positional hockey and will take the body when its given. He does well at it most time its just the mental mistakes that kill him. Then again he's only 22 years old and it takes a long time for dmen to grow.

[Obst]

When JvR actually plays like a power forward he is lethal.

But so many times I was frustrated with him because he sat near the blue line and waited to be set up for a slap shot. He is meant to use his big body around the net and play a more physical game. The hip, knee and then broken foot held him back a lot this year, and that might be a big reason why he was more reluctant to play in the dirty areas this season. I think if fully healthy he could still be a force in the league.

With Schenn, I hope we can pair him with either Timmonen or Carle (if resigned). Get him with a top pairing guy to cover up for some of his mistakes and just let him play his game. Hopefully we can get him with a coach who can work on his speed, if he does that then I'll be really happy with a big young defenseman who can hit, block shots and clear the net for Bryz.