Rumors and reports continue to swirl that teams across the NHL are looking under every rock, exploring every roster nook, every lineup cranny, for defensive reinforcements. But while any number of names has been bandied about already, only a few short weeks into the 2015-16 NHL season, one name has reportedly remained conspicuously absent from those early-season trade talks. Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Luke Schenn, a player with an expiring contract and a first-round pedigree fighting for regular minutes on a rebuilding team, would seem a prime candidate for an in-season deal. But to hear NHL insider Elliotte Friedman tell it, the interest in Schenn hasn't just been lukewarm - it's been almost nonexistent.
"I'm surprised that nobody will take a shot at him," Friedman said Monday, while appearing on Calgary's Sportsnet 960, via Todays Slap Shot's transcript. "Philly's got extra D and they're looking to make a move. I'm surprised that nobody is really interested."
New Flyers GM Ron Hextall has done his best in his short time at the helm of the franchise to right the wrongs of the Paul Holmgren era. Somehow, between pre-trade deadline deals last year and a couple of offseason trades, Hextall was able to free the organization of hefty defensive contracts like Kimmo Timonen, Braydon Coburn, Nicklas Grossmann and even Chris Pronger. Of course, in an attempt to keep the team competitive, Hextall also re-signed Nick Schultz and added Russian defector, Evgeny Medvedev, so even with Hextall's roster magic, the Flyers blueline remains crammed with unnecessary bodies.
Schenn, still just 26, is seemingly the poster-child for the defensive issues the Flyers and Hextall continue to face. His deal is large - he's making $3.6 million this season - and totally out of line with his recent production. He's a limited contributor offensively and a stay-at-home defenseman with extremely poor foot speed, operating in an NHL that places a significant premium on skating and athleticism.
This, per Friedman, is likely what has kept teams from sniffing around Schenn.
Still, with teams like the Buffalo Sabres, Los Angeles Kings and Boston Bruins potentially seeking a defensive addition or two, it would seem to make sense to at least kick the tires on Schenn. If not, no amount of Hextall's magic can fix the Flyers' currently flawed structure and the team will be forced to wait until the offseason to finally part ways with the player they once traded James van Riemsdyk for, straight up.
