Game 63: Panthers @ Maple Leafs 7:00PM - The turnaround game.

[crazyperfectdevil]

I still think schenn much like aulie doesn't benefit from wilson's system and that if the leafs are going to keep wilson ..they should consider losing schenn.  I'm talking out my ass hear, but it feels as though when he's forced out of his comfort zone offensively it ruins his game defensively

 

[pnjunction]

Schenn is sub-par in both skating and decision making. Those two weaknesses together magnify his issues, because he can't rely on his skating to compensate for his mistakes, like Gardiner for example can do a lot of the time. And he doesn't have the poise or see the ice well like Gunnarsson, so his poor skating is constantly being exposed.

You have to hope that he puts some extra work on his skating, and that his decision making starts to progress as he gains experience.

Thing is although he is young he has 290-some games of NHL experience.  When is what we see what we get?

I know players and d-men especially usually peak late 20s but I think they just refine their game not overhaul it.  Too late to do research but I doubt players who matured into stud d-men were dropping bombs of the magnitude Schenn has been dropping so often in their early 20s.  Must be the pressure of all those millions we should take it easy on the guy (Burke's next excuse?).

 

[Jalili]

Schenn is sub-par in both skating and decision making. Those two weaknesses together magnify his issues, because he can't rely on his skating to compensate for his mistakes, like Gardiner for example can do a lot of the time. And he doesn't have the poise or see the ice well like Gunnarsson, so his poor skating is constantly being exposed.

You have to hope that he puts some extra work on his skating, and that his decision making starts to progress as he gains experience.

Thing is although he is young he has 290-some games of NHL experience.  When is what we see what we get?

I know players and d-men especially usually peak late 20s but I think they just refine their game not overhaul it.  Too late to do research but I doubt players who matured into stud d-men were dropping bombs of the magnitude Schenn has been dropping so often in their early 20s.  Must be the pressure of all those millions we should take it easy on the guy (Burke's next excuse?).

I'm with you on that. I know a lot of people in the Leaf fanbase seem to think the world of him. I've always thought he was overrated and even a slightly bad draft pick at the time.

But over those 290+ games we've seen stretches where he was an effective, capable D-man. That's what I see his upside as being, but on a more consistent basis.

 

[moon111]

Schenn's ice surface is too big.  If this was a tighter team defensively, I think Schenn and Komisarek would benefit. 

 

[Bullfrog]

Yeah, Schenn, Kulemin, either one really.

Problem is Schenns screwing up sooo bad he's costing us goals.  He's terrible on the pk, brutal in his own end, etc.  The guys best year was his rookie year, then 2 out of the next 3 have been extremely dissaponting.

If I were GM he'd be gone so fast in the summer it would make your head spin.

Kulemin has always bugged me because I don't actually see any skill in him.  He's basically a guy that's good at "getting in the way."

Kulemin's got lots of tools, he just isn't putting it together. He's very fast, very strong, and has one hell of a quick release. Most of his goal scoring success comes from his quick release in traffic. I haven't seen that all season long.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Yeah, Schenn, Kulemin, either one really.

Problem is Schenns screwing up sooo bad he's costing us goals.  He's terrible on the pk, brutal in his own end, etc.  The guys best year was his rookie year, then 2 out of the next 3 have been extremely dissaponting.

If I were GM he'd be gone so fast in the summer it would make your head spin.

Kulemin has always bugged me because I don't actually see any skill in him.  He's basically a guy that's good at "getting in the way."

Kulemin's got lots of tools, he just isn't putting it together. He's very fast, very strong, and has one hell of a quick release. Most of his goal scoring success comes from his quick release in traffic. I haven't seen that all season long.

Yeah, not much skill in Kulemin?  Along with what you said, his shot is actually quite heavy.

He's just not shooting as much this year (or not getting himself into shooting position as much this season) for whatever reason.

 

[Mack674]

Is Pat Quinn busy right now?

I'd ask for Hitchcock but I heard he's too old and can't keep up with the new NHL and doesn't understand the game anymore.

Oh wait.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Is Pat Quinn busy right now?

I thought we were concerned about defensive play?

 

[bustaheims]

Is Pat Quinn busy right now?

I thought we were concerned about defensive play?

;D

 

[hockeyfan1]

If you take a look at the entire season as a whole I'd say Schenn has been the most disappointing followed closely by Connolly and Kulemin.  Those are 3 players we came into the season HEAVILY relying on and all 3 have been terrible.  Not even average... Well, well below.  Just brutal really.

If we're going to be honest right now, Schenn is playing like a bust.  Not saying he can't turn it around--he's young after all. 
But from the beginning, he's had limited tools at his disposal and limited upside as a result.  If basic positioning, skating, and puck-handling all need serious work, it starts to become prudent to ask whether he can even be a 4th defenseman in this league. Right now he looks like a 6th or 7th at best.

How does a guy like that get picked 5th overall?

Don't forget, the Leafs played him as an 18 year old.  That was probably a mistake.

I remember when Burke first arrived in Toronto, he wasn't too keen on the idea of having Schenn stay on in the NHL.  He would have much preferred if the Leafs hadn't kept him on the roster and had instead sent him back for more seasoning.

In hindsight, Burke was probably correct.