The 2024-25 regular season for the Nashville Predators is less than two months away when they'll drop the puck against the Dallas Stars with a revamped roster, and some returning veterans like Luke Schenn.
Schenn gradually settled into his own with the Predators last season. It didn't start off well after suffering an injury during the season-opener, and then having a hard time finding his role in the lineup once he came back.
However, Schenn definitely came into his own and found his primary cause for the team, which is brut force and steady veteran play. You can do far worse with a bottom pairing defenseman than Schenn. A lot worse.
Schenn is a mentor, steady force for Predators' bottom defensive pairing
Schenn served a value role playing alongside rookie Spencer Stastney in particular, and I figure they'll be matched together again this upcoming season. They complement each other well. Schenn is the steady veteran, while Stastney can spark transition play and offense down the ice.
The pairing of Schenn and Stastney was surprisingly effective in the 126 minutes they play together in 2023-24. They were 2nd on the team in Expected Goals Against Per 60, allowing 2.09 per MoneyPuck.
Schenn racked up 202 hits and 76 blocks in his 63 games in his first season with the Predators. Really respectable numbers for a bottom pairing defenseman playing only 15 minutes per game.
The Predators look to have a very formidable and trustworthy defensive corps for 2024-25. Thanks to Schenn, the Predators aren't in a place of shuffling replacement defensemen. I like Schenn on the penalty kill as well.
Now on the downside, Schenn isn't a spring chicken anymore, and he doesn't offer much in terms of offense. But for the most part he's disciplined, only 43 penalty minutes last season, and is reliable. Schenn's emergence as a reliable third pairing defenseman with a wealth of experience has allowed Jeremy Lauzon and Alexandre Carrier, another effective pairing, to thrive together on the 2nd pairing for the Predators.
You can argue all day if Schenn's contract is worth it, but he's only making $2.75 million. Since the Predators have him likely for the next two seasons barring an unforeseen trade, you might as well use him effectively which is in the exact role they used him last season, including on the penalty kill and being the protector.
Schenn's place in the starting lineup looks pretty safe. General Manager Barry Trotz has made it clear he likes veteran proven winners, and Schenn is a Stanley Cup champion. I can see a scenario where Schenn is occasionally subbed out for rest in a swap out with Dante Fabbro.
Fabbro has surfaced as a strong trade block candidate, but until that happens, the aging Schenn might benefit from some rest days which will give Fabbro more playing time.
Some readers on Predlines don't share my optimism on Schenn. We asked them one word to describe Schenn, and we got such unflattering words as "Expendable", "Pylon" and "Overpaid". One reader did use "Tough", which is accurate.
Going into his 17th NHL season, Schenn is only four games shy of the 1,000 game mark. He will join other Predators players Steven Stamkos and Ryan O'Reilly in that class of NHL longevity.