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Luke Schenn Odd Man Out in a Fully Healthy Nashville Predators Defense

By Max Greenberg

Nashville Predators defenseman Luke Schenn (2) after a play during the second period against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Nashville Predators defenseman Luke Schenn (2) after a play during the second period against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /
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(Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

Second Pairing: Ryan McDonagh – Alexandre Carrier

Besides Josi being on the first pairing, McDonagh being on the second pairing is another one of those no brainers for Brunette. In terms of proven player caliber, he is easily the second-best defenseman on this team after Josi, and a guy like him brings that Stanley Cup pedigree that the young Predators desperately need.

And just in itself, a pure stay at home defenseman like McDonagh is needed for this team right now with how badly their penalty kill has struggled. There can be absolutely zero doubt that he will be back on this pairing when he is healthy, and it looks like it will be very soon.

But after McDonagh is where things get murky. You would have to think this is a spot Schenn could take, but Carrier staying here would be what is best for this team’s chances of winning.

Just from a pure hypothetical standpoint, both of these players complement each other very well, since Carrier has the offensive upside to his game that works with someone like McDonagh. Carrier too has been defensively sound this year, and it is tough to justify replacing his all-around game with an older and slower Schenn.

Carrier is a top-10 defensemen in terms of blocked shots with 41 on the season, or 8.78 per 60 minutes.

But according to MoneyPuck, this pairing of McDonagh and Carrier has been very solid when they have played together. Of all the ones that have played in the NHL this year, they are ninth in the entire league in Expected Goals %, and third overall of pairings that have played 100 or more minutes.

And of those that have played 100 plus minutes, they are 10th in Expected Goals For Per 60 minutes, and sixth in Expected Goals Against Per 60 minutes. If we are talking about a pairing that can impact the game on both ends of the ice, this is it right here.

The old saying goes “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” and this pairing absolutely needs to be put back together and not broken up until they show that it is indeed, broke.

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