Here’s a collection of the best Brayden Schenn videos that are floating around. There was a huge part of me that wanted to pick up a certain talented left wing from Sweden (see, I can own it), but in retrospect this was the fairly obvious pick for Dean Lombardi. Here’s what I’m talking about.
Much to the dismay of Brian Burke and Leaf fans everywhere: Brayden Schenn is NOT a Maple Leaf
There are a few recurring characteristics that all Lombardi draft picks share. First and foremost, every player that he drafts has great character and strong leadership qualities. If you doubt that for even one second, please direct your attention to the 2007 Draft when shocked most of the hockey world when he went off the reservation and selected Thomas Hickey with the 4th overall pick. Let me rephrase that—when he selected future captain of Team Canada’s World Junior Championship team.
Another telltale sign that should have clued us in on the imminent Schenn pick is his obvious obsession with the Western Hockey League in Canada. He’s made it clear over and over again that he’s all over the style of play in the Dub and the type of players that the league produces. If you don’t believe that, I’d like to direct your attention to the aforementioned Thomas Hickey (of the Seattle Thunderbirds).
Would you like more proof? What about the kid that he selected in the 2nd round in the same 2007 Draft. That would be Oscar Moller, formerly of the Chilliwack Bruins. Or as I like to call him: “Captain of Team Sweden in the WJC’s Oscar Moller.”
When you take a step back and look at Brayden Schenn, it looks and feels like he was built to be the ideal Dean Lombardi draft pick. The guy has great leadership qualities, plays strong 2-way hockey, throws his body around and is accountable to his teammates. All GM’s would love to have a guy like that—but Lombardi actively seeks these qualities in each and every one of his selections.
Here are a few of the better videos that show what kind of player Brayden Schenn was while he was a Brandon Wheat King—and shows the potential of what kind of player he has the potential to become. Be sure to check out all the videos—or at least skip down to the bottom. It’s the best 13 second clip I’ve ever seen and it makes me smile every time I watch it. Maple Leaf fans (and Brian Burke fanboys) might not share my wild enthusiasm…
The basic NHL.com Interview
“Brayden Schenn Hit & Fight Compilation” Just the title of the video makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
Brayden Schenn TSN Feature
“Brayden Schenn Ultimate Highlight Video” The guy that put this together took a lot of time to make it
Kings piss off Brian Burke by drafting Brayden Schenn
The last video is easily my favorite of the entire bunch. Yes, it makes me a small person—but to see Brian Burke with that “someone just punched me in the stomach” look on his face just makes me smile. Maybe if he wasn’t so vocal and arrogant about how they were going to move up and make a splash in the draft, I wouldn’t take so much pleasure in his epic failure (and don’t kid yourself, it was an EPIC failure). But he was vocal and arrogant—therefore I am taking pleasure. Damien Cox from The Spin sums it up perfectly:
“The Kings, with the No. 5 pick, took Schenn and simply had no interest in what the Leafs were offering. If you look at the Leaf depth chart, it’s not hard to figure out why.” –Damien Cox
What the hell did he think the Kings were going to take for the 5th pick? The 7th pick and a salary dump? Tomas Kaberle for the pick? You see, that’s just it—the Kings have spent years building up their talent pool. Lombardi and Co. wasn’t able to fully stock the Kings pipeline overnight—and it was extremely arrogant and naïve of Burke to think he’d be able to move up when he didn’t have any desirable assets.
Besides, just look at his face– I know a drunk when I see one! Lay off the sauce my man; no one wants your scraps. Please enjoy Nazem Kadri—I know the Kings will enjoy Schenn. But don’t try to spin it like you wanted Kadri the whole time; we all know you desperately wanted the younger Schenn to play with his brother. We saw it on your face.
Yeah, I’m a small pathetic person. But I’m going to watch that video clip again…
