IMO, the Luke Richardson comparisons from people up in Toronto come off as a bit lazy... sure, both guys were high picks of the Leafs and didn't meet expectations right away, and both guys are big and named Luke, but here's the difference:

Richardson put up a lot of points in junior and was expected to bring that element to the show -- that never happened, hence the massive underachievement. Schenn, on the other hand, has pretty much been able to translate much of his WHL game to the NHL, which is a good sign for things to come, and is a testament to his hockey sense.

It's interesting to note that Schenn was never a big scorer in junior, but he already has more 20+ point seasons to his record than Richardson managed in 1400+ NHL games. There's absolutely no reason to think that he won't continue that level of production, and when you consider all the shot blocking and hitting that he brings, there's really not that much to complain about at this point.

Sure, he could maybe learn to be a bit more patient defensively -- most physical young dmen are guilty of running around a bit until they learn to get the junior out of them. He's never been described as having anything other than an exemplary attitude and being completely coachabe, so there's probably no Phaneufian aspect to worry about.

His skating isn't as bad as people let on -- north-south he's fine. He does turn like a battleship and he doesn't have the best first step, but there's no shortage of current-day NHL defensmen that have had to overcome those same kinds of limitations by honing their positioning and anticipation to compensate for lack of mobility. There's also no shortage of dmen that skate like Duncan Keith but can't crack an NHL lineup...

All in all, I'm really happy to have Schenn in the lineup -- he's definitely an upgrade over Carle defensively. Offensively, they should be able to make up the loss by committee, with Meszaros and Coburn fully capable of expanded roles on the attack.
- Tomahawk

Well Said!!

I was one of those who did not want to see JvR leave. I also though we were short changed in the deal, that we should have received a pick or two in return only because I believed in JvR's huge potential. That was no comment on Schenn, but an endorsement on James.

The NHL landscape has been historically littered with big forwards (I'm not sure if I'd label JvR a pure power forward, but with a few years and pounds, who knows) who do not develop until their mid to late twenties. I was expecting this for JvR and hoped the Flyers would be a little patient with him.

IMHO, he's got a world of talent, showing glimpses throughout his short career. He has great speed, terrific hands for a big man, and a great shot. When gets his legs moving under him, he's a load to stop.

Unfortunately, with big forwards, as with young defenseman, it's their second team who reap the benefits of their talent. Too often, the team that drafts them gets a bit overanxious, for lack of a better word, and moves them before they realize their full potential. Hopefully, this is the case for both JvR and Schenn. Hopefully, very soon it'll turn out to be a great deal for both clubs.
- 77rams

Luke Schenn may rarely use his slap shot but it's been recorded at 95+ MPH (at least it was in the WHL in his draft year), so I'd say it's above average in terms of velocity. The bigger problem I've seen is it takes him way too long to set it up. His wrist shot is nothing to write home about.

IMO, the Luke Richardson comparisons from people up in Toronto come off as a bit lazy... sure, both guys were high picks of the Leafs and didn't meet expectations right away, and both guys are big and named Luke, but here's the difference:

Richardson put up a lot of points in junior and was expected to bring that element to the show -- that never happened, hence the massive underachievement. Schenn, on the other hand, has pretty much been able to translate much of his WHL game to the NHL, which is a good sign for things to come, and is a testament to his hockey sense.

It's interesting to note that Schenn was never a big scorer in junior, but he already has more 20+ point seasons to his record than Richardson managed in 1400+ NHL games. There's absolutely no reason to think that he won't continue that level of production, and when you consider all the shot blocking and hitting that he brings, there's really not that much to complain about at this point.

Sure, he could maybe learn to be a bit more patient defensively -- most physical young dmen are guilty of running around a bit until they learn to get the junior out of them. He's never been described as having anything other than an exemplary attitude and being completely coachabe, so there's probably no Phaneufian aspect to worry about.

His skating isn't as bad as people let on -- north-south he's fine. He does turn like a battleship and he doesn't have the best first step, but there's no shortage of current-day NHL defensmen that have had to overcome those same kinds of limitations by honing their positioning and anticipation to compensate for lack of mobility. There's also no shortage of dmen that skate like Duncan Keith but can't crack an NHL lineup...

All in all, I'm really happy to have Schenn in the lineup -- he's definitely an upgrade over Carle defensively. Offensively, they should be able to make up the loss by committee, with Meszaros and Coburn fully capable of expanded roles on the attack.
- Tomahawk

agreed except that puck moving is not the type of the thing that can be made up by committee...that pass is either consistently on the tape or its not.

Mark my words. TML will rue the day this deal was made.
Luke Schenn really is the next coming of Adam foote.
Luke was the right guy in the wrong place in the Wilson system. His confidence was absolutely destroyed.
Put in the right situation, with the right coach, and if Flyers forwards do any back checking at all, and slow the oppositions forwards down even slightly, then watch out! Schenn will line then up like ducks in a shooting galary Scott Stevens style.

I expect Luke will be top 4 if not top 2 for the flyers by years end.
He will never be a PP guy, or give you offense, but defensively he can be awesome.

It's unfortunate that Luke was dealt now, because I think a year under Carlyle and we would have seen his stock rise exponentially.
- B-Wforever

If he is top 2 on the Flyers by the end of the year, they are in trouble. Even with the losses on D, he will not make it there.

Plus, I am sure Carlyle would have assessed Luke along with Burke on what he could do with him.

The trade makes sense for both teams. It should be left at that.

Luke Schenn may rarely use his slap shot but it's been recorded at 95+ MPH (at least it was in the WHL in his draft year), so I'd say it's above average in terms of velocity. The bigger problem I've seen is it takes him way too long to set it up. His wrist shot is nothing to write home about.
- bmeltzer

good to see there is yet another skill set he has in common w/ carle.

Mark my words. TML will rue the day this deal was made.
Luke Schenn really is the next coming of Adam foote.
Luke was the right guy in the wrong place in the Wilson system. His confidence was absolutely destroyed.
Put in the right situation, with the right coach, and if Flyers forwards do any back checking at all, and slow the oppositions forwards down even slightly, then watch out! Schenn will line then up like ducks in a shooting galary Scott Stevens style.

I expect Luke will be top 4 if not top 2 for the flyers by years end.
He will never be a PP guy, or give you offense, but defensively he can be awesome.

It's unfortunate that Luke was dealt now, because I think a year under Carlyle and we would have seen his stock rise exponentially.
- B-Wforever

Remember how at 10:08 this morning I wrote:

Let's not pile unreasonable expectations on the kid.

That's the job of Toronto fans.

But yeah, top 2 by the end of the year.

Probably won't win the Norris, but will get plenty of consideration - especially after he punches the lights out of Chara.

Luke Schenn may rarely use his slap shot but it's been recorded at 95+ MPH (at least it was in the WHL in his draft year), so I'd say it's above average in terms of velocity. The bigger problem I've seen is it takes him way too long to set it up. His wrist shot is nothing to write home about.
- bmeltzer

Another thing he has in common with JvR.

Luke Schenn may rarely use his slap shot but it's been recorded at 95+ MPH (at least it was in the WHL in his draft year), so I'd say it's above average in terms of velocity. The bigger problem I've seen is it takes him way too long to set it up. His wrist shot is nothing to write home about.
- bmeltzer

Chris Therien always had the hardest slapper on the team, but his windup took so long that the puck would have been poke-checked away and the other team would have gone the other way and scored before he completed the motion.

Speaking of huge slappers that rarely get seen:


Kessel has a big one too.

IMO, the Luke Richardson comparisons from people up in Toronto come off as a bit lazy... sure, both guys were high picks of the Leafs and didn't meet expectations right away, and both guys are big and named Luke, but here's the difference:

Richardson put up a lot of points in junior and was expected to bring that element to the show -- that never happened, hence the massive underachievement. Schenn, on the other hand, has pretty much been able to translate much of his WHL game to the NHL, which is a good sign for things to come, and is a testament to his hockey sense.

It's interesting to note that Schenn was never a big scorer in junior, but he already has more 20+ point seasons to his record than Richardson managed in 1400+ NHL games. There's absolutely no reason to think that he won't continue that level of production, and when you consider all the shot blocking and hitting that he brings, there's really not that much to complain about at this point.

Sure, he could maybe learn to be a bit more patient defensively -- most physical young dmen are guilty of running around a bit until they learn to get the junior out of them. He's never been described as having anything other than an exemplary attitude and being completely coachabe, so there's probably no Phaneufian aspect to worry about.

His skating isn't as bad as people let on -- north-south he's fine. He does turn like a battleship and he doesn't have the best first step, but there's no shortage of current-day NHL defensmen that have had to overcome those same kinds of limitations by honing their positioning and anticipation to compensate for lack of mobility. There's also no shortage of dmen that skate like Duncan Keith but can't crack an NHL lineup...

All in all, I'm really happy to have Schenn in the lineup -- he's definitely an upgrade over Carle defensively. Offensively, they should be able to make up the loss by committee, with Meszaros and Coburn fully capable of expanded roles on the attack.
- Tomahawk

This is a very good post and I think it asseses Schenn well as a player. I thinkas far as being an upgrade over Carle. In some cases yes, and in some no. In the physical department and in puck battles in the corners and around the net, he has the better physical tools to do that then Carle. But as far as shot blocking and reading if plays, and certainly in puck moving, he's not. It's about what Bill talked about in a previous blog. Schenn brings a different toolbox then Carle does.

Mark my words. TML will rue the day this deal was made.
Luke Schenn really is the next coming of Adam foote.
Luke was the right guy in the wrong place in the Wilson system. His confidence was absolutely destroyed.
Put in the right situation, with the right coach, and if Flyers forwards do any back checking at all, and slow the oppositions forwards down even slightly, then watch out! Schenn will line then up like ducks in a shooting galary Scott Stevens style.

I expect Luke will be top 4 if not top 2 for the flyers by years end.
He will never be a PP guy, or give you offense, but defensively he can be awesome.

It's unfortunate that Luke was dealt now, because I think a year under Carlyle and we would have seen his stock rise exponentially.
- B-Wforever

Thanks for your insight without trolling. You don't know how much outside trash comes through these boards, and I appreciate your honesty and consideration.

This is a very good post and I think it asseses Schenn well as a player. I thinkas far as being an upgrade over Carle. In some cases yes, and in some no. In the physical department and in puck battles in the corners and around the net, he has the better physical tools to do that then Carle. But as far as shot blocking and reading if plays, and certainly in puck moving, he's not. It's about what Bill talked about in a previous blog. Schenn brings a different toolbox then Carle does.
- MJL

My prediction is that Carle will get exposed in Tampa Bay and that the Flyers GAA will go down in 2012-2013.

Carle is gone and not replaced by Schenn - I predict a big year from Mez assuming he can get and stay healthy.

Remember how at 10:08 this morning I wrote:

Let's not pile unreasonable expectations on the kid.

That's the job of Toronto fans.

But yeah, top 2 by the end of the year.

Probably won't win the Norris, but will get plenty of consideration - especially after he punches the lights out of Chara.
- Atomic Wedgie

Is Chara the best fighter in the league?

Honestly the more I think about the trade I'm disappointed I want Schenn back, he was our home grown guy, a top 5 pick. Isn't that what a rebuild is all about?

JVR will be given some time to break out but he better be the real deal at some point in his contract. It may have been a true good hockey trade but I think Flyers fans will be happy with Luke.


http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0FdS7c2wgBI

That's Luke Schenn. He did that exact hit 3 games in a row on Malkin, Dvorak and Smyth. Not a huge open ice hitter but a monster along the wall.

He will more than likely lead the NHL in hits again next year. To those that don't watch him enough I think the blog is a little misleading. His hits don't really put him out of position that often at all he's actually very good at picking his spots. But if he can plough you into the glass he will take the body every time.

The thing with Schenn is he panics. He's best games are when he keeps it's simple doesn't over think makes short quick passes. What Leafers hated Schenn for was coming out of his corner and having no easy outlet and making a bad pass. His hands are pretty suspect so he will bobble the puck from time to time. This makes his errors pretty glaring and lack of foot speed makes it tough to recover.

Throw him with Timmonen and you should have a great pair. He's a team first guy all the way, he'll do anything to win. Playing on some gutless Leafs squads the past few years he actually willing got his ass kicked by Chris Neil a handful of times but did it anyways to stand up for his team. Hard not to respect that. His decision making will get better over time.

Also I've noticed since he came into the league hes gone from good year to bad year. Before the trade Id had posted around that expected a real strong boyce back year from Schenn under Carlyle. Lead the league in hits and post 25-30 points.

So long as you're not expecting an All Star you Flyers fans will love Schenn, he's a gamer.

My prediction is that Carle will get exposed in Tampa Bay and that the Flyers GAA will go down in 2012-2013.

Carle is gone and not replaced by Schenn - I predict a big year from Mez assuming he can get and stay healthy.
- Daman

how exactly will carle get exposed? you realize he played mostly with bourdon this past year, right?

how exactly will carle get exposed? you realize he played mostly with bourdon this past year, right?
- OrangeBlack27

Statistically, what do you mean? That he played 51% of the time or more with Bourdon?

Chris Therien always had the hardest slapper on the team, but his windup took so long that the puck would have been poke-checked away and the other team would have gone the other way and scored before he completed the motion.

Speaking of huge slappers that rarely get seen:


Kessel has a big one too.
- Tomahawk

That was a cool video are there more of the other players too?

Statistically, what do you mean? That he played 51% of the time or more with Bourdon?
- Daman

played with bourdon more than he played with anyone else and still led the team in ice time while playing well. you think his regular partner in TB will be worse than a rookie with marginal nhl upside?

http://www.leftwinglock.c...ayertype=D&gametype=ALL#A

played with bourdon more than he played with anyone else and still led the team in ice time while playing well. you think his regular partner in TB will be worse than a rookie with marginal nhl upside?

http://www.leftwinglock.c...ayertype=D&gametype=ALL#A
- OrangeBlack27

I think next year you can go to the Tampa Bay thread and watch the posters complain how they got ripped off.

I think next year you can go to the Tampa Bay thread and watch the posters complain how they got ripped off.
- Daman

so? carle has numerous detractors around here despite a high-level of play over the past three seasons.

so? carle has numerous detractors around here despite a high-level of play over the past three seasons.
- OrangeBlack27

if he was as terrible as his detractors here claim I don't think he'd have recieved such a hefty payment from Yzerman.

Schenn will always stick up for his teammates but the guy cannot fight, not trying to troll, just telling you he won't win many if any
- MLeafs81

Saying he "cannot fight" is a bit harsh. I just watched the 6 fights he had last year (hockeyfights.com)... Schenn can hold his own. He had one clear loss to Chris Neil (fighting vet), one clear win, and 4 close fights. He's got some raw skill, the size to fight with a little more experience - he'll be above average.

Plus, as others stated - it's not necessary for him to win fights, just hold his own while picking the correct time to drop them is probably more important. An all to painful memory on when not to drop'em... was the Talbot-Carcillo fight in the post season a few years ago. Carcillo clearly beat Talbot, but the fight woke up the Pens.

Is Chara the best fighter in the league?
- Daman

Bryan McCabe says "yes."

I think next year you can go to the Tampa Bay thread and watch the posters complain how they got ripped off.
- Daman

Depends on their expectations. Carle is overpaid right now thats for sure. But he will continue to do what he does best....make 49 excellent puck moving plays to 1 ghastly god forsaken back of the net turnover.

If Schenn can remain in the lineup as an effective 15-18 minute bottom pairing dman I'll be happy. Unfortunately, JvR could still blossom into something really special.