The Toronto Maple Leafs have acquired defenseman Luke Schenn from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2023 NHL draft.
The prodigal son is returning home.
The Toronto Maple Leafs brought back a former fan favorite on Tuesday evening, acquiring defenseman Luke Schenn from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2023 NHL draft.
Schenn spent the first four years of his career in Toronto after being selected fifth overall by the Maple Leafs in 2008. The 33-year-old rugged defender has experienced quite the rollercoaster of a career since then, finding himself nearly on the verge of being out of the league altogether before winning a Stanley Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2020 and further emerging as a strong depth option on the Canucks' blueline.
In 55 games this season, Schenn has racked up three goals and 18 assists for 21 points while logging just over 17 minutes in average ice time. Over his career, the Saskatoon, Sask. native has 190 points in 918 NHL games while recently setting an NHL record for most hits among defensemen since they were first tracked in 2005-06. He currently leads the league in hits this season with 258.
Heading back to Toronto now, Schenn will shore up the Maple Leafs' right-side depth on the back end and have a chance at helping push the team to that elusive Stanley Cup – just as many predicted he would 15 years ago.
With the roster in flux and a number of new picks and players coming in the door, the Maple Leafs do not appear to be done tinkering as the trade deadline nears.
Stay tuned.