NHL rumors: Potential Bruins trade target Luke Schenn scratched as talks heat up

Potential Bruins target Luke Schenn scratched for trade-related reasons originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Luke Schenn is the latest defenseman to be pulled from his team’s lineup for trade related reasons.

The Vancouver Canucks have announced that Schenn will not play versus the Predators in Nashville on Tuesday night.

Trade talks between the Canucks and interested teams regarding Schenn have been “heating up”, per Vancouver radio host Rick Dhaliwal.

Dhaliwali said Tuesday on his radio show, “Donnie and Dhali”, that the goal for the Canucks is to get a second- or third-round draft pick for Schenn.

The NHL trade deadline is March 3.

The Boston Bruins have been one of the teams linked to Schenn in various rumors over the last couple weeks. The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun reported in January that the B’s had called the Canucks about Schenn. The Bruins don’t have a second-round pick in 2023 or 2024, but they do own all of their third-rounders going forward.

Schenn is a defensive defenseman who kills penalties, blocks shots and plays a physical style of hockey. He is 33 years old and has two Stanley Cup rings from the 2019-20 and 2020-21 Tampa Bay Lightning teams. Acquiring him would be a good depth move for a contender.

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The Fourth Period’s Dave Pagnotta reported Tuesday that the Bruins have the “framework” of a deal in place for Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov but the B’s must first clear salary cap space to help facilitate the move. If the Gavrikov deal doesn’t happen for Bruins, maybe they would turn to Schenn if he’s still available.

Gavrikov and Arizona Coyotes defenseman Jakob Chychrun also have been healthy scratches for trade related reasons in recent weeks. Gavrikov has sat out the last four games, while Chychrun hasn’t played since Feb. 10. They are two of the best defensemen rumored to be available with 10 days to go before the trade deadline.