Luke Schenn Could Make The Maple Leafs Roster

In a recent interview, Toronto Maple Leafs General Manager Cliff Fletcher stated that number one draft pick Luke Schenn would be given "every chance to make the team." The Maple Leafs picked Schenn 5th overall in this year's NHL entry draft back in June. As a member of the Kelowna Rockets in the WHL, Schenn has earned a reputation as a shut down defenseman. Scouts have praised his physical play, and he has been touted as a prospect who may be good enough to crack the Toronto Maple Leafs roster this year.

If that is indeed the case, Schenn will have the opportunity to prove he is good enough to play for the Maple Leafs in the upcoming month. The Leafs will host a rookie tournament beginning on September 13th that will consist of prospect teams from the Ottawa Senators, Florida Panthers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Toronto Maple Leafs. Luke Schenn will be one of the featured players on the Maple Leafs prospect squad. If he is able to make the most of his ice time with a solid performance, this tournament should be his best chance to impress the Leafs coaching staff. He will also get to make his case for a roster spot later this month when the Toronto Maple Leafs begin their training camp.

Luke Schenn is no stranger to this kind of pressure. Before being drafted by the Maple Leafs, he represented Canada at the 2008 World Junior's, where the Canadian team won gold. He also participated in the Canada/Russia super series. With such extensive international experience, it wouldn't be at all surprising if Schenn was able to surpass expectations in training camp, and earn a spot on the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Competition is Steep on Maple Leafs Defense

With the signings of defensemen Jeff Finger and Jonas Frogren to the Maple Leafs roster, as well as rumors that Bryan McCabe may be traded for another d-man, the Leafs blue line will be crowded this year. In fact, Cliff Fletcher has stated the he feels good about his defense corps headed into the season. This will make it tough for the rookie to earn a spot in the Leafs lineup. Thomas Kaberle, Pavel Kubina, and Jeff Finger are all but guaranteed to start next year. It is also likely the Maple Leafs coaching staff will want to play Jonas Frogren and Anton Stralman on the same line, given their history of playing together on the Swedish national team. This doesn't exactly leave much room on the Maple Leafs defense for Schenn, but with such a newer and younger team going into the season, anything could still happen, and the lineups are anything but set in stone. If Maple Leafs head coach Ron Wilson is impressed enough with Schenn, he will find a way to fit him in the lineup.

The prevailing opinion in Leafs Nation however, is that Luke Schenn will likely continue his development with Kelowna in the WHL. While Maple Leafs GM Cliff Fletcher wants to give Schenn the chance to make the team, he has also stated he will not rush his development if he is not ready. While discussing Schenn's chances to make the Maple Leafs, he was quoted as saying "When you look back historically, Toronto's been a graveyard for young defencemen that maybe shouldn't have been integrated into the NHL lineup as early as they were. Were not going to make that mistake." Given this statement, it appears unlikely that he will crack the Leafs starting lineup. Regardless of whether or not he makes the team this year though, Luke Schenn certainly shows the potential to be the true shutdown defender the Toronto Maple Leafs have long been hoping for.