Much to the delight of Maple Leafs fans across the globe, the Leafs have announced that they have agreed to terms with young defenseman Luke Schenn on a five year contract at $3.6 million per year.
“I love playing in Toronto ... I want to be part of the future going forward, be part of the reason things turn around here to get us into the postseason,” Schenn told the Globe and Mail in August.
Luke has been able to utilize his large 6’2 219lbs. frame effectively at the NHL level. In terms of defense he’s been nothing but a pleasure to watch. Schenn, 21, was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs 5th overall in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, and has been the cream of the crop in General Manager Brian Burke’s interests.
“Luke’s a very important part of this team,” GM Brian Burke said in a media press release.
“We intend to spend to the cap. We have not spent to the cap since I’ve been here because I haven’t seen the value in it, but that’s why you have to work hard on these contracts.” He said in regards to the length of time it took to get the deal done.
The deal came just the day before training camp was set to start, something that Leafs fans have been very close attention to as the value of Luke Schenn has been obvious throughout his entry-level deal.
In his third year as a Maple Leaf, Schenn played all 82 games setting a career high in assists, points, shots, and hits. Schenn totaled 5 goals and 17 assists for 22 points, a -7 rating and an incredibly impressive 251 hits. His hits totals were 8th best in the league among skaters and 1st overall among defensemen. His 168 blocked shots was 12th best in the league.
Through his three years in the NHL Schenn has made great progress each and every year, thus improving his value and solidifying himself as a must have for the Maple Leafs’ resurrection via Brian Burke. In 231 games he has notched 12 goals and 41 assists for 53 points and a -17 rating. He has also led his team in hits all three years.
“I’d just like to thank Brian (Burke) and the Leafs’ organization for showing the confidence in me for the next five years.” Schenn said in the media release. “My first three years in Toronto have been awesome, the city has been great to me,” he went on, “I’ve been given nothing but a great opportunity here. This team is a great young team and we’re only going to be getting better over the next five years and I’m looking forward to being a part of that.”
This is yet another great signing by Brian Burke. Schenn is a pivotal piece of the blue-line for the big TO. Burke has re-tooled this team from last season into what I believe to be a stronger club, and having Schenn on the blue-line now on contract makes them a much, much better team.
- Kendall Grubbs
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