It’s been a big year for Brayden Schenn since he was drafted No. 5 overall by the Kings last June. Schenn was highly impressive in his first NHL training camp, returned to junior hockey as captain of the Brandon Wheat Kings and led them to the finals of the Memorial Cup and also participated in the World Junior Championships again. Schenn also made his NHL debut with a one-game cameo in Vancouver and didn’t look out of place. Now, Schenn faces an important summer, one that could help him earn a spot on the Kings’ roster in training camp this September. Today, Schenn talked about last season, his summer and his future…
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Question: Dean Lombardi has said that in order for you to make this team, you’re going to have to have a great summer. What are you trying to accomplish this summer, going into training camp?
SCHENN: “I’m just trying to get myself in better shape. There’s a level that I need to be to play with the team this year. I think I’m going to come back down for a few weeks in July and a few weeks in August and work with their strength guy. It’s going to be pretty important for me. If that’s what I need to do to get to the next level, I’m going to do it. From here on out, I’m just looking forward to September and trying to get myself in the best shape I can.”
Question: It was only one game, but getting in that game against Vancouver last season, did it give you some confidence or some insight?
SCHENN: “Well, I played in lots of exhibition games last year and one (NHL) game there, but yeah, it’s definitely a lot faster pace out there. Obviously it’s going to take a little adjusting, getting used to, fighting to come up from the junior level, but I’m willing to take on the challenge in September and I’m going to try to challenge for a spot.”
Question: In what ways would you say you’re a different player from this time last year?
SCHENN: “I think I gained a lot of experience playing in the World Juniors, and obviously I got another year of junior under my belt. My main goal is to try to be a little bit better all around. I try to be a little quicker, my shot a little harder, just try to be better. That’s what every guy tries to do, one year to the next, is get better. I think I’ve done that, but I’ve still got a ways to go yet.”
Question: What were some of the things the Kings talked to you about improving, and do you feel like you have improved?
SCHENN: “Last year, after the draft, it was improving on my skating. That’s what they really wanted, quickness. From that time until now, it has gotten better and I’ve gotten quicker. Obviously speed is a big factor in the game these days, so I’ve still got to improve on it, still got to work on it, and I’m trying to do that every day.”
Wow, I already love this kid.
And to those putting Schenn in your fantasy trade scenarios, forget about it. This kid will be a King for a long, long time.
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The timing of this article is very interesting, right before FA with some talk that Toronto is looking to move Luke.
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DougS Reply:
June 30th, 2010 at 4:11 pm
@Bobby Scribe,
Seriously? :-0 Why would Burke want to trade L. Schenn? Isn’t Toronto trying to rebuild, with Luke being one of the young cornerstones?
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luc20rules Reply:
June 30th, 2010 at 5:25 pm
@DougS, Phil Kessel? I would float a bunch of obsured trades that really favored me in front of Burke if I were a GM. Burke may bite. I thought it was so ridiculous how he defended that Kessel trade during the draft. LOL, yeah he wasn’t at all upset as Boston selected Tyler Seguin 2nd Overall.
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DougS Reply:
June 30th, 2010 at 5:30 pm
@luc20rules,
Exactly. Burke gave up so much to get Kessel; he’s another cornerstone young player. Kessel and L. Schenn give Burke something he can work with now that he’s rebuilding. Seems silly that he would want to trade L. Schenn.
kingfish Reply:
June 30th, 2010 at 4:48 pm
@Bobby Scribe,
never heard Toronto talking about moving L schenn.
They got an offer for him (1st round pick this year) but burke didnt sound at all interested. L schenn is a very popular player in Toronto.
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Not really interesting in terms of a possible Luke Schenn deal.I am glad to hear that he knows all the right answers and has a plan to do what the Kings want him to do to make the team, not what he thinks.
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The Schenns have great character. It’s way too early to count out Brayden this year. I’m looking a Simmonds-esque camp.
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Luke will not be traded from the Maple Leafs. There’s no chance. I there’s as much credence to that as there is to a Kaberle for Simmonds trade.
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I’m not worried about this kid. I know he was injured, but it would sure be nice to see Thomas Hickey among those considered to make the team.
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Interview reminds me of Quick interviews because he said all the right things without sounding too cliched. I’ll Be rooting for this kid to make the team. Won’t he have to go back to Juniors if he doesn’t. That was the belief I had, so if so I am not sure another year of Juniors would help him, but he needs to play and not sit.
Definitely sounds like he has the work ethic to give himself the best chance to make it this year.
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With a few exceptions, there’s never any way to know which of the kids will make it to the team or in the NHL. Most are very close in talent, so it all comes down to heart, hard work, and perhaps some luck (who they play with, a great save by an opposing goaler, etc.). It will certainly be an interesting summer.
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The kid has all the tools and I liked what I saw last year. But…if the Kings sign Kovi or other FA they will need all the cap space they have to lock down DD, JJ and others…I don’t see any room for Schenn salary this season.
With Schenn’s cap hit and his eligibility to play in the minors and get at least one more year of experience under his belt..baring an injury, we won’t see him for more than a few games next season. Space will open up in another year when others contracts expire and that’s when he will become a fixture at Staples.
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JJ4Pres Reply:
June 30th, 2010 at 3:34 pm
@Barry’s Mullet, Stoll will be traded if Schenn makes the team.
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Mike L Reply:
June 30th, 2010 at 4:00 pm
@JJ4Pres,
How sure are you? Your really going to put all that pressure on this kid to be the #2 center?
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Barry's Mullet Reply:
June 30th, 2010 at 4:53 pm
@JJ4Pres, Schenn is your future 3rd line center which means he starts playing on the 4th line and works his way up.
Stoll may or may not get traded but why would you trade a proven 2nd or 3rd line center making 3.5M for an unproven rookie making 3.5M season, when we all want to complete for the cup next season?
This guy is hopefully going to be an impact player in 3 or 4 years…he’s not going to win you a stanley cup playing on the second or third line in his first full season…just doesn’t have the experience yet.
Look at all the talent the Kings have NOW who have been playing for 4 or 5 years and are just now gaining the experience to compete for the cup.
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RLane420 Reply:
June 30th, 2010 at 8:28 pm
@Barry’s Mullet, DL has already said Schenn signed a contract that made it easy for him to make the team without a huge cap hit.
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Three obviouslys snuck into one short interview. The kid’s stepping it up big time. You can’t help but be impressed with that sort of obvious production–and he hasn’t even made the team yet!
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