Maple Leafs, Schenn reunite in trade with Canucks

Luke Schenn is back where it all started.

The Toronto Maple Leafs acquired the rugged defenseman from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for a 2023 third-round pick on Tuesday, the teams announced.

Schenn was drafted fifth overall by the Leafs in 2008 and spent the first four years of his career in Toronto.

The 33-year-old journeyman will bring an element of physicality that Toronto's defense lacks. The 6-foot-2, 225-pounder leads the NHL with 258 hits this season. He also comes with an affordable $850,000 cap hit and will be an unrestricted free agent at year's end.

Schenn has recorded 21 points - one away from tying a career high - in 55 contests while logging 17:11 per game with the Canucks this season. Here are his underlying numbers:

Luke Schenn, acquired by TOR, is a physical bottom pairing stay-at-home defenceman. He's the most prolific hitter in the NHL but that edge gets him into the penalty box a lot. #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/fXZF2wdpPs

- JFresh (@JFreshHockey) February 28, 2023

He also brings plenty of pedigree, having won a pair of Stanley Cups with the Tampa Bay Lightning - Toronto's probable Round 1 opponent.

With Schenn in the fold, the Leafs now have nine NHL defensemen on the roster: Morgan Rielly, T.J. Brodie, Jake McCabe, Justin Holl, Timothy Liljegren, Conor Timmins, Mark Giordano, and Erik Gustafsson.

The Maple Leafs recouped the asset they gave up for Schenn by sending winger Pierre Engvall to the New York Islanders for a 2024 third-round pick.

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