Would the Toronto Maple Leafs' free agent defenceman make sense for the Edmonton Oilers?

The Edmonton Oilers are no stranger to acquiring budget-friendly players to round out the depth positions on their team. In 2022-23 that included Jason Demers and Ryan Murray on defence. They didn't see a lot of minutes, but the competition forced the young defenders Philip Broberg, Vincent Desharnais and Markus Niemelainen to raise their game in order to get a roster position. 

Related: Oilers' Pursuing Shut Down Defender Pesce

The 2023-24 version of the Oilers will have a different mix of players. With an Evan Bouchard contract extension in the works the Oilers have salary cap space to clear out to sign everyone they need to. They also have a crowded blue line that needs one less body to make the math work. A hockey insider says they could see one of Brett Kulak, Broberg or Desharnais move before the deadline. 

Should one of Kulak or Broberg be the odd man out for the Oil, the Oilers should consider adding Luke Schenn. The pending Toronto Maple Leaf free agent could be a welcome addition to the blue line. Ken Holland is no stranger to giving older veteran players term in contract extensions. Additionally, Schenn is a physical playoff performer who can give offensively minded defence partner's a stable defensive presence.

Holland Known For Giving Term to Older Veteran Players

Holland likes to give veteran players good money and term when signing extensions with the team. This has happened in both Detroit with the Red Wings and with the Oilers. The only older player he has re-signed in the past year has been Derek Ryan, who is coming back on a very team friendly deal. Before him was a two-year extension to aging Mike Smith and a four year deal to then 28-year old Zack Kassian worth $3.2M per year. 

Schenn reportedly wants term and trade protection in his next deal. Will the Maple Leafs' new general manager (GM) Brad Treliving give Schenn's camp both of those things in a new deal? The deal isn't done yet, so anything is possible. But Holland could step up to the plate and get a deal like that done.

Physical Playoff Performer

Schenn is the type of defender you want on the blue line during the playoffs. The 6-foot-2 225 pound rear guard plays a physical style game with 42 playoff games on his resume. In those 42 contests he's delivered 151 hits. He's not afraid to throw his weight around during the regular season either, with 318 hits thrown to lead the league in the 2022-23 regular season. He has 3158 career hits, good for 6th all time in the NHL.

This past post season saw him play 17:27 of average time on ice in 11 contests and throw 54 hits. All while playing 162 minutes alongside Morgan Rielly. They drew near even in Corsi for percentage (CF%) at 49.4%, 53.7% in shots for percentage (SF%) and were on the ice for two goals against and nine goals for the Maple Leafs.

Great Compliment To Offensive Minded Defenders

Before the trade to the Maple Leafs, Schenn had played most of his Vancouver Canucks minutes with offensive wizard Quinn Hughes. They played 447 minutes together during the regular season. They had a +9 goal differential, 46.6 SF% and CF%. Not amazing numbers, but the totals being close to 50% are promising. 

Related: Oilers Shouldn't Trade Broberg Right Now

If the Oilers trade one of Kulak or Broberg, he could be paired with one of the remaining defenders. Broberg could grow significantly with a defence partner like Schenn to help him out. He could learn the physical side of the game more, while also help Schenn break pucks out of the zone with his skating and passing game.

Many things hang in the balance for the Oilers right now, as the hockey world eagerly anticipates move to happen immanently. Regardless of who is sent out from the Oilers' squad, Schenn should warrant series consideration to be added to the team this off season.