Torontosaurus Rex is …
Pretty obvious choice this week, with two shutout wins making history after poured into Leafs silks.
J.S. Giguere stabilized the crease with immediate impact in a record setting arrival. The NHL draped him with second star of the week honours. He’s been rewarded and praised.
So, I’m going off the board.
Lesser named, but arguably a bigger beneficiary of the overhaul in Toronto is this week’s Torontosaurus Rex is:
He topped the 21-minute mark in all three games, a first time this season with consecutive 20-plus minutes, while firing a career high two goals and three points in Saturday’s 5-0 win over Ottawa.
Offensive numbers aside, the main difference is in compete level, fitting in with jumbled pairings, as composed in any defensive pairing, or forming a kid duo with Carl Gunnarsson.
I initially found bringing in Dion Phaneuf as a sleight to Schenn. They both share elements of their game, with a rugged, hard-hitting style, but while Phaneuf brings a pedigree of goal scoring, Schenn has limited offensive upside but a good low hard shot. A good part of his game that surfaced once again is how he’s firing pucks at the net for tips and rebounds, not just aimlessly blasting it from the point. That’s a bonus for the offense, but scoring shouldn’t be a milestone to judge his development.
Schenn has responded with inspired, progressive efforts, a positive sign of mental maturity, channeling energy into performance and an important step in development. More important to see was that he didn’t revert to earlier season play. There are still errors, but they’re becoming less frequent and less glaring by degree in comparison to earlier this season.
Positive signs moving forward for this week’s Torontosaurus Rex.
katshockey@mapleleafsthotstove.com
twitter.com/@KatsHockey
February 8th, 2010 at 2:41 pm
I couldn’t agree more with this choice. Truth is, there are a number of players that would fit, none of which would have been a bad choice, but I think Luke has displayed tremendous signs of rebounding into the player that we have been expecting.
February 8th, 2010 at 2:41 pm
As I said a couple posts ago, who knew that all Luke Schenn needed was Dion Phaneuf?
February 8th, 2010 at 2:49 pm
It’s a little victory in spirit that snowballs into confidence .. hopefully this is a spark before ignition.
February 8th, 2010 at 2:51 pm
Schenn is so young. He’s going to be an excellent Dman if we all just give him time to develop properly and don’t get on him too much. We really have a gem here, but it’s going to take time…..like another 3 or 4 years – about the same time the Leafs will be a Cup contender. It will be worth the wait.
February 8th, 2010 at 2:52 pm
I wanted to give an award for the Asteroid of the week. You know the one that kills all of the efforts of the Torontosaurs’
Mine goes to Ron Wilson for NOT playing Giggy against the Devils on Friday. Couldve been three wins in a row but that is all in the past. We will just have to go win a few more game in a row and put together a streak like the Senetards.
February 8th, 2010 at 2:59 pm
Good choices!
Props have to be given to Wallin as well…….for someone who everybody hated to get a little notice is no small accomplishment. The mood in the locker room has changed and even the so called useless players are playing much better.
February 8th, 2010 at 3:04 pm
Schenn-Phaneuf will be a solid 1st line for a long ass time. And kick alot of ass too!
February 8th, 2010 at 3:12 pm
To Calgary:
Matt Stajan
Niklas Hagman
Jamal Mayers
Ian White
To Toronto:
Dion Phaneuf
Keith Aulie
Fredrik Sjostrom
…
Luke Schenn
Thank you, Brian Burke.
February 8th, 2010 at 3:16 pm
@Ron
still seems like bullshit.
if you were to propose a trade like that before it went down you would get run out of town in an instant.
Oh Burkie.
February 8th, 2010 at 3:16 pm
Strange timing for Gainey to step down. I wonder if this situation effectively shuts down the crHabs as a trading partner.
February 8th, 2010 at 3:19 pm
canucksnaphook wrote:
Very nice work, I also would of accepted Senaturds. A+
February 8th, 2010 at 3:19 pm
Jordan wrote:
Man, that could really turn into quite a combo in another year or so.
I believe there is something to Wilson’s comments about Luke having someone comparable in age to look to for his own play. There is only a couple years between them, and Schenn should be looking at Phaneuf’s confidence for inspiration.
February 8th, 2010 at 3:25 pm
@
the_cause2000
Schenn’s development will be greatly accelerated now that he has Phaneuf to look up to and lead him by example.
February 8th, 2010 at 3:32 pm
Ponko to Atlanta or Nashville.
Who could we get from either of those teams for him?
February 8th, 2010 at 3:34 pm
Sharks got a 2nd rounder for N. Wallin + 5th. Me thinks we could get atleast that for Poni…
Andre Deveaux has been recalled from the Marlies due to a food poisoning case with one player on the current roster. Everyone has their fingers crossed that it is Wallin.
February 8th, 2010 at 3:39 pm
canucksnaphook wrote:
We’re not getting a roster player for Poni or a prospect of any significance. He’s an expiring contract, 2nd round pick is the most we can hope for unless there is more to the deal than just Poni.
February 8th, 2010 at 3:43 pm
I would bet anyone here X amount of money that Schenn – Phaneuf will make team Canada in 2014 together. When two guys have chemistry together they are more likely to make a team. IE: Brent Seabrook made the team over Jay Bouwmeester because he had excellent chemistry with Duncan Keith. I have a good feeling about these two guys.
February 8th, 2010 at 3:44 pm
I hope Schenn doesn’t look up to Phaneuf too much…Phaneuf follows AnalSexSecrets? http://twitter.com/DPnumber3/following
February 8th, 2010 at 3:44 pm
Phaneuf has been such a good influence on schenn and the whole team and he exudes confidence
he has shown the world that people better fear the leafs becuz they are going to be threat to play night in and night out
February 8th, 2010 at 3:45 pm
@ LeafsRyan.:
Yeah, except NHL players won’t be part of the Olympics in 2014.
February 8th, 2010 at 3:47 pm
reversethecurse67 wrote:
More for Poni. Wallin(nic) has 5 assists and no goals…
February 8th, 2010 at 3:48 pm
Check out Schenn’s prospect bio. Guess who his favourite player is.
http://www.nhl.com/ice/draftprospectdetail.htm?dpid=5
February 8th, 2010 at 3:53 pm
They told a story on HNIC this past Saturday that Schenn would get his dad to drive him hours to see Phaneuf play back in juniors. I think Phaneuf is going to play a HUGE part in the development of Luke.
February 8th, 2010 at 3:55 pm
@ Buds_17:
That’s b.s or the league can say buy to Ovechkin and a lot of other european stars.
February 8th, 2010 at 3:59 pm
LeafsRyan. wrote:
They already said no or there will be a hefty fine. All in all, I think Ovi can afford it to play.
February 8th, 2010 at 4:02 pm
Looks like all those pucks they’ve been having Shcenn shoot in practice have been paying. I always read in junior how he had this booming slapshot, but all we’ve seen from him is the (average) wrist shot. His slapshot IS much more impressive, and nice to see him using it. This will help his confidence greatly. He’s also taking a lot more time with the puck and thinking more quickly, not unloading it like a hot potato as soon as he gets it.
February 8th, 2010 at 4:07 pm
If they say no to the olympics everyone of the NHLPA can go fuck them selves, I even hope a crosby or Ovechkin would leave to show how much of a mistake it would be. What would be the point of the olympics if the best players are not playing like wtf :S
February 8th, 2010 at 4:09 pm
Olympics are for amatures, not professionals. And it was Bettman that said no, not the NHLPA.
February 8th, 2010 at 4:12 pm
Dazzastark wrote:
That hasn’t been true in decades, about the amateurs.
February 8th, 2010 at 4:13 pm
Maybe so but it is true.
February 8th, 2010 at 4:13 pm
You can’t blame owners for not liking the Olympics.
It’s a HUGE risk. Can you imagine if Ovechkin or Crosby gets injured? Why should the Caps or Pens suffer for that and quite possibly lose a lot of revenue. Who is going to compensate them for that.
February 8th, 2010 at 5:20 pm
Charlie wrote:
Ovie’s comments will ensure the Olympics remain on the NHL’s agenda. If Ovie leaves and plays for his country, many others will follow. Probably even Canadians. It would cause way more harm than an individual star or two getting injured.
February 8th, 2010 at 5:35 pm
Kadri is in the lineup tonight, Cliff Fletcher on AM 640.
February 9th, 2010 at 12:10 am
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