Luke Schenn: Remember Jason Smith Leafs Fans? More Patience Needed With Schenn

Height/Weight:

Schenn: 6'2"/215 pounds

Smith: 6'3"/220 pounds

Shoots:

Both shoot right handed

Hometown:

Schenn: Saskatoon, Sascatchewan, Canada (Born November 2, 1989)

Smith: Calgary, Alberta, Canada (Born November 2, 1973)

Draft position:

Schenn: 5th overall, 2008

Smith: 18th overall, 1992

Junior Stats:

Schenn—He scored 12 goals and added 56 assists while receiving 325 penalty minutes in 189 games with the Kelowna Rockets. In 19 playoff games, he registered two goals, two assists, and 20 penalty minutes.

Smith—He scored 23 goals and added 61 assists while receiving 350 penalty minutes in 128 games with the Regina Pats. In 17 playoff games, he registered four goals, eight assists and 41 penalty minutes.

Awards and Accomplishments:

Schenn—Alternate Captain of the Kelowana Rockets in 2006-07 and 2007-08, played for Team Canada at the 2006-2007 Canada Russia Super Series, Gold Medal Under-18 World Cup Tournament, 2008 World Junior Hockey Championship Gold Medal, played for Team Canada at the 2009 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships, 2008-09 NHL YoungStars Game, 2008-09 NHL All-Rookie Team.

Smith—1993 Bill Hunter Trophy (Best Defenceman in the WHL), 1993 World Junior Hockey Championship Gold Medal, AHL Calder Cup Championship 1995 (as Captain of the Albany River Rats), Edmonton Oilers Captain from 2000-01 to 2006-07, 2006 Stanley Cup Finalist with the Edmonton Oilers, Philadelphia Flyers Captain in 2007-08.

On September 2, 2009, he annouced his retirement from the NHL.

Toronto Maple Leaf Stats:

Schenn—He has scored six goals and added 23 assists, while receiving 119 penalty minutes in 134 games as a Toronto Maple Leaf. The Leafs have not made the playoffs with him on the roster to date. He burst onto the scene during his first NHL season in 2008-09, but this season he is experiencing some growing pains. His play of late has improved and he should finish the season strong.

Smith—He scored five goals and added 29 assists, while receiving 156 penalty minutes in 162 games as a Toronto Maple Leaf. The Leafs did not make the playoffs during his time with the team. On March 23, 1999 the Leafs traded Smith to the Edmonton Oilers for a fourth round pick in 1999 (Jonathan Zion) and a second round pick in 2000 (Kris Vernarsky). While Jason Smith went on to Captain two NHL franchises and lead one to the Stanley Cup Final, the return the Leafs received for him had no impact at the NHL level. I am sure that then-General Manager and Head Coach of the Leafs, Pat Quinn, would like a do-over on this trade.

Thoughts on both players:

Both players have been noted as a solid defensive presence by numerous sources over the years. Both have, to this point, had a limited offensive presence at the NHL level.

Jason Smith has been an invaluable member of both the Edmonton Oilers and the Philadelphia Flyers as he captained both franchises. Unfortunately, his style of play led to many injuries over the years. Jason Smith, as quoted after his retirement, "I'm always a guy who wants to play every game, but I think now looking back it was definitely the right decision to give the injuries I had some rest."

Prior to the 2008 NHL Entry Draft NHL on TSN analyst Pierre McGuire dubbed Luke Schenn "the human eraser" for his solid defensive play and bone crunching hits at the World Junior Hockey Championships that year.

Final word:

Here's hoping that the Leafs are patient with Luke Schenn and allow him to develop into a consistently solid defensive presence and bone crunching hitter at the NHL level. They have a past example of how not to handle a defenceman of this mould in Jason Smith. Also, in light of the type of player Luke Schenn is, injuries could become a dominant factor in his NHL career. Lastly, with Dion Phaneuf and Thomas Kaberle taking the pressure off Luke Schenn offensively, this should allow him ample time to develop into a future Leafs' Captain.