In the time that I’ve been covering the Kings, it’s hard to remember a training camp that has held so much competition for spots, particularly among young players who might be ready to take the jump to the NHL. Brayden Schenn certainly fits into that category.
In an ideal situation, Schenn probably would start this season in Manchester and get a year of pro hockey under his belt. But because of the AHL-CHL arrangement, the 19-year-old Schenn would have to return to his junior team, the Brandon Wheat Kings, for one more season if he doesn’t make the Kings’ roster.
Schenn is in contention for a spot as the fourth-line center, and had a bit of an uneven game in his preseason debut Thursday but did score the Kings’ lone goal in their loss to Phoenix. Schenn said he’s not thinking about a return to the WHL.
“I haven’t put too much thought into junior right now,” Schenn said. “Obviously I’m here to try to make the team. Rules are rules … but I’m just going to try to keep improving day by day. I’m learning a lot from the older guys. Smytty has given me lots of tips, and I’m just trying to pick up on anything. He’s been great to me, and I hope that continues and I just want to get better day by day.”
Schenn scored his goal seven minutes into the third period. Earlier in the game, he had missed on a prime scoring opportunity, but this time he went to the side of the net, took a great pass from Dustin Brown and hit the post with his first attempt but then pushed the puck past Al Montoya on the rebound.
“Brownie made a good move on the defenseman there,” Schenn said. “As soon as I saw that he turned and stopped, I just kind of posted up there and got one crack at it. It hit the post, and I just kind of dove when I saw the puck sitting there. It was a nice pass by Brownie, and I was just glad to finish.”
During the week, coach Terry Murray left open the possibility that a young player such as Schenn or Andrei Loktionov might be able to step in and fill the role of fourth-line center, a role that would allow a young center to develop without as much pressure or heavy minutes. Schenn said that would be an opportunity he would welcome.
“Absolutely,” Schenn said. “I’ve just got to get my feet wet. This is really the first game that I’ve played since last year in the Memorial Cup. It’s been a long time, but I felt better as the game went on. First period, I was a little nervous and I didn’t really make too many plays. I didn’t feel like I struggled, but I thought I could have done more. As the game went on, I felt a lot better, but we didn’t get the win. … It’s nice to score a goal, but the goal would have meant more if the team would have won.”
Schenn missed the summer developmental camp with a knee injury, then missed this month’s rookie camp after he tweaked the same knee, but Schenn has been fine since the start of main training camp — “Knock on wood,” he said — and has been wearing a light brace on the knee for extra support.
“I wore one last year,” Schenn said. “It just gives me extra confidence, to go into the corner and not have to worry about your knee, stuff like that.”
nice article…i dont see any benefit to Schenn going back to Juniors…why would he go back if he doesnt make the team?…is he too young to play in the AHL?
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stagger Reply:
September 27th, 2010 at 9:06 am
@Sebastian,
Yes, he’s too young to go to Manchester. It’s junior or NHL.
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USHA#17 Reply:
September 27th, 2010 at 9:32 am
@stagger,
If he’s moved to the NHL for a few games can he then be sent to Manchester?
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EJ Reply:
September 27th, 2010 at 9:48 am
@USHA#17, no.
-J Reply:
September 27th, 2010 at 9:50 am
@USHA#17,
No, unfortunately not.
stagger Reply:
September 27th, 2010 at 9:54 am
@USHA#17,
I thought he could come up & go back as long as he doesn’t go over 10 games in the NHL?
Quisp Reply:
September 27th, 2010 at 10:00 am
You mean like going to cuba
Thru Canada? No. No matter how mznt games he plays in nhl he can’t play in AHL until he is 20 or has played four Chl seasons
Moondoggie Reply:
September 27th, 2010 at 11:06 am
@Sebastian, But he could play 10 games with the Kings and then be returned to Brandon. After game 10, if he’s still on the Kings roster, he’d have to stay. Bad agreement for sure but those are the rules….
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Moondoggie Reply:
September 27th, 2010 at 11:07 am
@Moondoggie, Correction, 9 games….After game 9, he then sticks with LA….
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Really too bad he can’t go to Manchester. From all the reports (thanks Rich) it seems like that’s where he belongs.
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There is the possibility of 9 NHL games before he needs to be sent back to juniors and not burn a year of his contract.
It is interesting that Brian Burke is thinking of sending Kadri (picked two spots after Schenn) to the AHL for those 9 games. Rich, it would be interesting to ask DL if he would consider doing that with Schenn (& if DL thinks that is within the rules).
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jet Reply:
September 27th, 2010 at 9:44 am
@Purple Ghost, I believe the emerency call up counts as a game. If that is true, then we could keep him for 8 games this season.
I always want to err on the safe side. Burke rushed his brother and while he did fine his rookie season, he had the sophmore slump. I would send him back down, but try to keep him for at least a few games. TMs system of giving the players a couple of games one year, a few dozen the next and then a shot at full time the next seems to be working pretty well.
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-J Reply:
September 27th, 2010 at 9:55 am
@Purple Ghost,
Burke is considering that? Really? From what i understand of the rule, that isn’t even an option. Assuming it is, it doesn’t make much sense to me to use up those games in the AHL- either the kid is good enough to play in the nhl at this point or he’s not. Nine games in the AHL isn’t going to tell you much, and certainly isn’t as informative as putting him in for 9 NHL games.
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“Schenn said he’s not thinking about a return to the OHL.”
Rich, Schenn played for the Wheat Kings of the WHL haha, not be annoying, just thought I’d let you know.
Good work! thanks
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Of course he’s not thinking about a return to the OHL. Brandon plays in the WHL
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txkingsfan Reply:
September 27th, 2010 at 9:32 am
@Brent A, a simple email to Rich would have sufficed. Give the guy a break – the amount of pressure he must be under to get us info and updates and still run this site must be incredible.
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jet Reply:
September 27th, 2010 at 10:45 am
@txkingsfan, Hey, the guy is only working 7 days a week 16 hours a day. He should be perfect.
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Choralone Reply:
September 27th, 2010 at 11:40 am
@txkingsfan, I think Brent A was responding to AK47, and I don’t think either was being disrespectful to Rich. Let’s all relax a bit, no?
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Rich
My guess is he needs at least one year of Pro hockey under his belt. Rather than send him back to juniors which sounds like it would be somewhat of a waste, could they send him to Europe to play in one of the Pro leagues?
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Paul From Oxnard Reply:
September 27th, 2010 at 9:33 am
@Barry’s Mullet, I don’t believe so. Brandon owns rights to him. If he’s not playing on the Kings they’d require him to come back to the WHL.
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I don’t see what the rush is to keep Schenn in the NHL? The Kings have plenty of young centers who could easily fill the spot and many of them are interchangeable meaning if one doesn’t work you send him to Manchester and call up another. Since Schenn doesn’t have that option let him go dominate the WHL again and win another medal in the World Juniors in Buffalo this December. The Kings will still be here for him next year and then he’ll have the option of going to Manchester.
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John Reply:
September 27th, 2010 at 10:00 am
@Paul From Oxnard,
But what’s the point of dominating the WHL yet again? He might develop bad habits because he’s, well, dominating!
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KellyHrudey Reply:
September 27th, 2010 at 10:08 am
@John, The point his he learns consistency…If he’s in fact the real deal then he should be able to do just as well, if not better this coming season in the juniors. I dont understand what bad habits may he develop in juniors? That’s like saying if a player is in the AHL after one strong year that they will falter the following season. That doesnt make any sense. A talented and young player, such as Schenn, still has along of upswing and will continue to improve and get better, season after season, regardless if he’s in juniors or the AHL.
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Paul From Oxnard Reply:
September 27th, 2010 at 10:29 am
@John, Again, what’s the rush? To me this isn’t about Schenn, unless he were dominating the competition in camp, which he isn’t. The question is are there better, more NHL ready options available to the Kings? If so Schenn has to go back to the WHL. I can’t see anything wrong with competing for another WHL championship, another Memorial Cup, and another World Juniors medal. If Brandon is eliminated from the Memorial Cup early then he’ll go to Manchester to finish up their season, or come back up to the Kings.
The only real danger of course is injury. But you take that risk wherever you play.
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KellyHrudey Reply:
September 27th, 2010 at 10:02 am
@Paul From Oxnard, I couldnt agree more…
From the preliminary reports it doesnt seem like Schenn is blowing away the competition. Lokti appears to be more ready to make the jump. Schenn needs to “pay his dues” just like some of the others have. Even if he is not AHL eligible, he certainly can go back to juniors and dominate the league again to showcase his consistency, etc. He’s still very young and has an extremely bright future ahead.
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puck73 Reply:
September 27th, 2010 at 10:27 am
@KellyHrudey, Agreed. Most players between 18 and 22 usually take time to develop so its never a bad idea to send them down. And besides, most 19 year olds cant play with grown men who have experience.
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Moondoggie Reply:
September 27th, 2010 at 11:20 am
@KellyHrudey, That’s the deal. Right now, he isn’t blowing away anyone. Lokti has had a very good camp and appears ready to make the jump. Clifford has done well too. You’re also correct in that the Kings need to see Schenn play at a more elevated level like the AHL but that can’t happen.
My guess and this is a big “if”, the Kings may choose to keep Schenn up for 9 games, then send him back to Brandon. However and particularly with this mornings cuts, I think it’s Lokti’s job to loose at this point. Personally, I think Brayden is headed back to Brandon but the picture will become clearer this week.
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If he is not clearly better than moller or loitinov than he should go back to juniors. If the competition is even than he has to be the loser because we have less options for him. Sad for him but he was drafted partly for his character and I think this might just be strengthened by this move.
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stagger Reply:
September 27th, 2010 at 9:59 am
@Christian T,
Exactly.
It’s kind of like Bernier all over again. I’m sure Schenn will be bummed that he has to go back to Juniors, but hopefully it will do him good.
Bernier seemed to benefit from the extra year, hopefully Schenn will too.
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Harry Reply:
September 27th, 2010 at 10:21 am
@stagger,
But Bernier spent that extra year in the AHL, not Juniors. (last year)
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Paul From Oxnard Reply:
September 27th, 2010 at 10:31 am
@Harry, Actually you’re both right. Bernier spent 2008 in Juniors after starting the Kings 1st game of the year against the Quacks in London. Then in 2009 he went to Manchester.
stagger Reply:
September 27th, 2010 at 10:56 am
@Harry,
Last year was Bernier’s second year in the AHL. He was sent back even though it looked like he didn’t have anything else to prove in that league. All he did was become the best goalie in the AHL.
The point is that even though you dominated a league the year before, it doesn’t mean you aren’t going to continue to grow in that league the next year.
broncokings Reply:
September 27th, 2010 at 1:55 pm
@Christian T
hey Mr. Dion hows it going? well spoken like usual…
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I can’t see DL and Murray keeping him up here and risk having him struggle given the stakes this season. Not DL’s MO.
Too bad he can’t go to AHL but what he needs to keep in mind is next year he will probably stay up with Kings if he just stays as is let alone improves.
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Some interesting stats about the top the draft picks for Schenns year (2009)
1. John Tavares, NYI – Straight to NHL 82GP, 24G, 30A
2. Victor Hedman, TB – Straight to NHL 74GP, 4G, 16A
3. Matt Duchene, CO – Straight to NHL 81GP, 24G, 31A
4. Evander Kane, ATL – Straight to NHL 66GP, 14G, 12A
5. Brayden Schenn, LAK – Juniors
6. Oliver Ekman-Larsson, PHX – Juniors
7. Nazem Kadri, TOR – Juniors
8. Scott Gleannie, DAL – Juniors
9. Jared Cowen, OTT – Juniors
10. Magnus Paajarvi-Svensoon, EDM – Juniors
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stagger Reply:
September 27th, 2010 at 10:15 am
@Sebastian,
Those top (bottom?) 4 teams needed all the help they could get last year.
It’s nice to be in position to NOT have to rush up the youngsters.
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Paul From Oxnard Reply:
September 27th, 2010 at 10:25 am
@Sebastian, Yeah, I agree with stagger. I don’t know if that’s as much an indicator of how “NHL ready” those kids were as it was an indicator of how much help those teams needed.
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TSN is reporting that Marc-Andre Cliche has been waived by the Kings.. Any information available??
gKg!
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jet Reply:
September 27th, 2010 at 10:52 am
@LBlocal, It makes sense, there is little room for him at Manchester and his contract is up at the end of th eseason. This gives him a shot at catching on with another team.
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Can’t imagine they would keep Schenn with the Kings. Too early for the guy.
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I haven’t seen Brayden play, but it does seem a bit of a double bind in a sense. Seems so true what everyone says… the perfect place for him is Manch, yet he can’t go there. So he either goes to a place he’s seemingly not quite ready for, or a place that he’s simply gone beyond. Oh well. I’m sure there are other players that thats happened to.
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Moondoggie Reply:
September 27th, 2010 at 11:24 am
@number 6, Yep….Like Bernier….and look what it did for him!
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scvking Reply:
September 27th, 2010 at 11:47 am
@number 6,
You said it…maybe not ready for the NHL but too good for the WHL.
This plays out rather easily though. Either Schenn is ready for the NHL, or he isn’t. If he isn’t, down he goes. We don’t keep him up because the alternative is not perfect.
There is nothing wrong with a player getting time in the WHL and succeeding. Success breeds confidence, as the saying goes.
If I had to make a VERY premature guess, I say Schenn is with the Kings as a fourth liner when the season starts. After 6-8 games, we either keep him up or send him down.
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“Schenn said he’s not thinking about a return to the OHL.”
Well I should hope not, otherwise his junior team, Brandon of the WHL would probably be pretty upset. Fact checkers guys, they come in handy.
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Rich Hammond Reply:
September 27th, 2010 at 1:34 pm
My sincere apologies for the one typo out of 1,000 daily words.
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jamesonafterawin Reply:
September 27th, 2010 at 2:33 pm
@Rich Hammond, I didn’t even notice! I got the point, he’s not thinking about the minors. He wants to be a King.
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Schenn is an offensive player and as such, his game would benefit a lot more from playing 20 minutes in the WHL in an offensive role than it would from playing 6 minutes in the NHL in a defensive/energy role. Yes, he will need to be responsible defensively as well, but he can improve defensively in junior too. Playing 6 minutes/game on the 4th line (and with linemates possessing little offensive talent) won’t do any good for his development or confidence. They can always call him up as a replacement if/when somebody sustains a serious injury but until that happens I’d either give him at least 3rd line minutes or send him back to junior.
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I beleive its more perplexing than most do here.Only because he was a 5th pick ,bigger than most ,plays a good two way game ,and plays tuff enough for men.He might get more play time there, but here it wont be a play pen.He may get more improvement out of practices,training,regemine,with nhl players.
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