Anaheim Ducks General Manager Bob Murray filled one of the holes on his roster. Adding veteran defenseman Luke Schenn was necessary, the discounted contract he signed is a plus.
The fear heading into free agency is overpaying for a product on the decline. In years past, we paid guys who played “prehistoric hockey” laughable sums to occupy roles they were incapable of handling. Hearing the Anaheim Ducks are only paying Schenn $800k on a one year deal was met with surprising approval.
Frank Seravalli of TSN reported via Twitter, the Ducks are signing Luke Schenn to a one year deal worth $800,000. It was the Ducks biggest move on the opening day of free agency. Also, the only one with implications to their NHL roster.
The Anaheim Ducks were set too open the season with two rookie defenseman on their third defensive pairing. Francois Beauchemin retired and most of Ducks nation hopes Kevin Bieksa does the same.
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The departing veterans left an opening for an experienced defenseman with a physical presence. It came as no surprise Bob Murray’s annual trip to the “bargain bin” discovered the oft maligned Schenn. The defenseman’s experience is needed, his low cost and short-term is a bonus.
He is what he is
As much as Ducks fans make fun of Murray signing guys from game film of seasons past, Schenn’s fall from grace is too prominent for even him to miss. His contract terms indicate he’s filling the 6/7 defensive role. Last year, he filled a similar role admirably for the Wile E. team in Arizona.
His advanced stats were not good, carrying only a 45.4% Corsi rating. That meant teams were in his end quite a bit. A young Coyote team with not much experience on the ice added to his ineffectiveness. So did starting more than 60% of his shifts in the defensive zone. His role will be different in Anaheim, giving the younger Ducks players a better chance to succeed.
His role in a stacked deck
The Anaheim Ducks top four defensemen are set. Brandon Montour, Hampus Lindholm, Cam Fowler and Josh Manson have those jobs. There’s no concern Schenn will see top-four minutes unless circumstances change. Promising youngsters Marcus Pettersson, Jacob Larsson and Andy Welinski make it unlikely the newcomer routinely draws into the lineup. He will have a role, it is to push the young prospects on the third pairing and suit up versus more physical opponents.
An added benefit of having the imposing blueliner is his experience in a top-four role. While Pettersson and Welinski have enough talent to hold down the third pairing, either playing extensive minutes when injuries hit is less than ideal. Schenn has shouldered the heavy minutes (PK, up late in games when teams are making their pushes) in his career. He ensures the younger players are placed in situations for them to succeed (offensive zone starts, better matchups).
While Schenn isn’t the flashiest addition, he makes the team better, especially considering his cost. I thought he was an ideal fit for what the Ducks need, so I’m glad we added him to the roster.
Other minor additions
Eric Stephens reported via Twitter the Ducks are expected to make the signings of Anton Rodin and Jared Coreau official tomorrow.
Rodin was an ascending talent three years ago after taking the Swedish Hockey League by storm. Injuries derailed his promising career. His signing likely only impacts the Gulls depth and adds another camp body for the Ducks. There is some potential there, but he’ll have to find his legs in San Diego before getting a real shot.
Coreau also appears destined for San Diego to fill the Reto Berra role. He did sign a two-way contract, so it is possible he sees some time on Anaheim’s bench should Gibson miss extended time as he usually does.
The Ducks don’t want to interfere with Kevin Boyle’s development and prefer he starts games in San Diego, over sitting on the pine in Anaheim. Its always good to have another goalie with NHL experience in the organization.