Luke Schenn is finally coming to Toronto.
Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe revealed on Monday that the defenseman was on his way to Toronto following the birth of his third child on Friday.
"He'll be in the building, not tonight, but he will be going forward," Keefe said of Schenn.
The Maple Leafs acquired Schenn just days before the trade deadline from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for a 2023 third-round draft pick. The player joined the Leafs in Edmonton during their road trip and played in two games for Toronto before staying trip in Vancouver so both he and his wife can wait out the situation while also trying to get the situation settled.
The "human eraser" as he was affectionately referred to be by teammate Ryan O'Reilly, the Leafs added Schenn for his physicality. With the Maple Leafs beginning to regularly go with seven defensemen in the lineup, Schenn could return to the lineup as soon as Wednesday against the Colorado Avalanche.
The number that never was
When Schenn joined the team, his No. 2 was occupied by defenseman Jake McCabe, who was acquired the day before Schenn from the Chicago Blackhawks. Initially, the plan was for Schenn to wear No. 22 if 2 wasn't available, but McCabe was more than happy to give Toronto's first-round pick from the 2008 NHL Draft his original number with the club.
It you’re wondering what No. 22 would look like on a Schenn jersey, wonder no further. The crest was prepared for sale before the sudden change.
McCabe has since taken the number No. 22 as part of the swap.
In two games with the Leafs this season, the 33-year-old Schenn has averaged 11:26 of ice time while delivering seven hits.
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