Toronto Maple Leafs keep Luke Schenn at bay with 5 year, $18 million deal -NHL News Update
It was going to come sooner or later, it did on Friday, September 16, as Luke Schenn and Toronto Maple Leafs finally agreed on mutual terms and signed onto a five-year deal, worth an estimated $18 million and making him an unrestricted free agent after the
2015-2016 season.
Not having seen the playoffs for a record, seven seasons now, Toronto Maple Leafs are desperate for an entry into the postseason next year. Keeping players like Luke Schenn motivated is the teams’ top most priority, which at the moment has certainly put
a smile on the 21-year-olds face.
Schenn will be entering his fourth straight season with his original draft team with a new contract, after the expiration of his National Hockey League (NHL) entry-level contract, which was worth a mere $2.625 million compared to the one he just signed.
He definitely acknowledges that.
"I've been given nothing but a great opportunity here", said Schenn. "I'm looking forward to the next five years here in Toronto".
For Luke Schenn, Toronto’s management had to pull many strings in order to have the signing complete before the regular season kicks off.
“I think the deal that is reached is fair. Every stone was turned over in this negotiation. The key for Luke is the player has to feel he is being treated fairly. For us, we want to pay what is fair, not more than what is fair. It’s not always easy to arrive
at that number. It does not mean the team is being greedy, and it does not mean the team is being parsimonious”, said Leafs general manager, Brian Burke.
In the three years Schenn has been playing with the Toronto franchise, he has slowly and gradually been improving his overall performance. Having scored only 14 points (2 goals, 12 assists) his first season, his last 22 point (5 goals, 17 assists) performance
gives him a whole new look altogether.
With a long term deal in his hand, Schenn hopes to continue taking the team to new levels and hopefully, a playoff spot next time.
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