Rigamarole - A Foot In The Crease - Episode 5.9

www.afootinthecrease.com

For Luke Schenn, his second season in the NHL has not brought the same success that his rookie season did. Rarely has the confident, physical, efficient puck mover from a year ago been seen since the season began. Instead, Schenn has looked tentative, unsure, and has shown a propensity toward committing costly mistakes. Simply take a look at the Patrick Kane goal from Friday night against Chicago if you need anymore examples.

In short and quite frankly, Schenn is no longer developing, he is regressing. However with the Maple Leafs announcing on Thursday that Mike Komesarik will miss at least three weeks with a torn quadriceps muscle, Schenn will have an opportunity to take on a bigger role and play himself out of his early season funk.

If the Maple Leafs are to have success over the next three weeks, they will need Schenn to rediscover the style of play that allowed him to make the Maple Leafs out of training camp as a nineteen year old at the beginning of last season.

If no noticeable improvement in his game is seen though by the time Komesarik is ready to return, it might be time for Brian Burke to consider a demotion for Schenn to the Toronto Marlies. A disastrous year from start to finish at the NHL level will not do either Schenn or the Maple Leafs any good.

Schenn desperately needs to play in an atmosphere where he can regain his confidence before it is gone for good. Chances are he will have a better opportunity of doing just that free from the bright lights of the Air Canada Centre, where every mistake is magnified.

Still a good prospect, Schenn did not have the success he experienced in his rookie season as an eighteen year old by accident, the Leafs have to be careful that Schenn`s struggles don`t turn into irreparable damage. Remember, Jeff Ware was once a top prospect…once. But hey, all that was just rigamarole.