"I've just always been told to stick up for teammates," answered Brayden Schenn when asked about his one-sided fight with Mark Stone following Stone injuring Philip Broberg minutes into the game on Saturday night. This is something the Blues captain has shown time and time again during his tenure in St. Louis, and it's important for fans of the team to not forget how valuable that is in the NHL today.
Leading by Example
Schenn's willingness to stick up for his teammates is something fans of the organization have been lucky enough to watch for about two and a half seasons. Schenn was given the C on September 19th, 2023, succeeding 2019 Stanley Cup Finals MVP Ryan O'Reilly. These were big skates to fill, but at that time, Brayden Schenn had proven himself to be one of the best leaders in the history of the organization.
The fight against Mark Stone was the second for Schenn in just two days. He was sent to the penalty box for fighting Brandon Tanev on Friday night against the Mammoth following an illegal check to the head by Tanev on Blues rookie star Jimmy Snuggerud. Schenn wasted no time in standing up for his teammate, letting Tanev and the rest of the Mammoth know that there would be a swift physical response to dangerous plays against Blues players. This is a quality in a player that you can't teach, and it's something organizations across the league wish they had more of in their locker room.
Should Schenn be Moved?
Schenn has been the subject of a seemingly endless supply of trade rumors in the last year, a combination of the Blues being likely sellers as the trade deadline approaches and the wide interest he has garnered among teams all around the NHL. On paper, this makes a lot of sense for Blues GM Doug Armstrong. Schenn hasn't produced on the offensive end to the level expected of him, and statistically, he hasn't justified the $6.5 million AAV his contract costs.
Despite this, moving Schenn would be a mistake for this team. The biggest criticism this squad has received in the past couple of seasons is a lack of grit, a lack of fight, and an apparent apathy toward their own mediocrity. Schenn is the polar opposite of these traits. He is one of the few players who consistently leave it all on the ice every single night, regardless of his own stats or the scoreboard.
Next Man Up?
Beyond that, the logistical issue of who would follow Schenn presents itself. The Blues have 3 alternate captains currently. Faulk likely wouldn't be given the nod, as he's been the center of a swath of trade rumors himself, and his time with the Blues is seemingly numbered. Parayko, while a career Blue and fan favorite, really doesn't possess the qualities most teams look for in a Captain due to his primarily passive and soft-spoken nature.
Robert Thomas seems like the obvious pick, but even he has been the target of a significant amount of criticism this season because of apparent attitude issues and his tendency to get frustrated easily when making a mistake. Jake Neighbours' name has come up frequently as someone who could be a future captain, but at just 23 years old, the organization may be hesitant to put such responsibility on a player with so much individual development still to come.
As this disappointing season inevitably marches on, fans should be appreciative of Brayden Schenn's unwavering leadership during his tenure in St. Louis. His time is likely short here, and we should all take a step back and enjoy moments like last night as much as possible while we still can.