Luke Schenn's price tag gives Maple Leafs a golden chance to upgrade the blueline
Photo credit: James Carey Lauder-Imagn Images
Reports earlier surfaced that Luke Schenn was open to a change of scenery, and if the Maple Leafs wanted to acquire him it won't cost much according to Darren Dreger.
There's a lot of discussion going on regarding the Toronto Maple Leafs and who they might acquire this season if they want to improve their blueline.
Rasmus Andersson has been thrown around heavily, as has Dougie Hamilton and the team could even try and pursue names like Justin Faulk as a way to replace some of their injured players and make sure they have enough insurance heading into the playoff stretch.
Toronto can potentially get Luke Schenn on the cheap
Recently, another name popped up that Maple Leafs fans are familiar with as Luke Schenn is reportedly open to a deal given that Winnipeg has struggled heavily this year.
Toronto could certainly use Schenn yet again (his third time potentially) and while they don't have a lot of assets to work with; that shouldn't be an issue.
TSN's Darren Dreger appeared on TSN OverDrive on Thursday and explained that if the Maple Leafs were to go after the veteran defender then it won't break the bank:
If the Maple Leafs want Luke Schenn, they can get him for a lower end draft pick.
Now, Toronto doesn't have a ton of picks but they could easily part with a 2026 or 2027 fifth-round pick.
Or if Winnipeg was trying to get as much as they can, then a 2027 fourth would be a good idea too; it's hard to justify giving up your 2026 third-rounder for Schenn but Toronto's desperation will determine his price.
Toronto needs cheap defensive help and Schenn is perfect
Schenn, 36, is signed to a $2.75-million contract and has been a healthy scratch for several games this season. He did manage to appear in his 1,100th NHL game, which is a huge milestone but hasn't been an everyday player for the Jets.
If Toronto traded for him, that would be the second time they acquired him for a playoff push. They did so in 2022-23 and was a very solid asset down the stretch and helped give Morgan Reilly some much needed help; he was drafted fifth overall by Toronto in 2008.
It's pretty basic what you're getting with Schenn but that's all you need. He'll throw lots of hits, block shots, fight if he needs to, and just be that intimidating presence that also is defensively sound.
With Toronto already down Chris Tanev for potentially the season, and Jake McCabe dealing with injury issues as well, it might be best to see if Schenn wants to come back yet again.
Knowing that they don't have much to work with, if the Maple Leafs wanted to bring in their former draft pick one more time -- at least he's cheap.
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| POLL | ||
JANVIER 9 | 1468 ANSWERS Luke Schenn's price tag gives Maple Leafs a golden chance to upgrade the blueline Would you trade for Luke Schenn if you were the Maple Leafs? | ||
| Yes | 755 | 51.4 % |
| No | 713 | 48.6 % |
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