Each day between now and the Flyers first game, Tim Panaccio and Sarah Baicker will take a stab at answering one big question facing the 2012-13 Philadelphia Flyers.
Today's question: Can Luke Schenn find a happy balance between being a physical defenseman without also turning the puck over?
Tim: Big and physical. Not the swiftest skater around. Certainly not in Erik Gustafssons league for puck movement. That would describe Luke Schenn, who has the size of Luke Richardson, but still lacks the fear factor that Richardson presented in his prime as a hard hitter. The Flyers expect Schenn to grow into something along those lines. That he can do it here without the glare of the Toronto spotlight where every little mistake was magnified should serve to help Schenn get comfortable in his role. That he will have his brother, Brayden, around adds another measure of comfort as these two talked almost every day in their careers from opposite cities. Given the fragile state of the Flyers blue line because of injuries and the loss of valuable veteran expertise, his growth factor this season could be pivotal for the defense.
Sarah: Can he? I'm not sure. Do the Flyers need him to? Absolutely. As Tim says, the Flyers brought Luke Schenn to Philly hoping he can live up to expectations he didn't quite meet in the hockey Mecca of Toronto. They gave up size and potential on offense by shipping James van Riemsdyk over the boarder in exchange for him. But I'm hopeful Schenn can learn a thing or two from the Flyers' veteran D-men like Nicklas Grossmann, and learn to use his size in a way that helps the team but doesn't put them in danger. I also like that both Schenn brothers will be on the same team -- and not just for the sense of comfort Tim mentions above, but because sibling rivalry will be good for both skaters and could help push them both to the next level.
E-mail Tim Panaccio at tpanotch@comcast.net or Sarah Baicker at sbaicker@comcastsportsnet.com