It’s about time that Luke Schenn finds his place with the Philadelphia Flyers.

It’s really the easiest example to come up with. If you asked most Philadelphia Flyers fans what is their worst trade in recent memory, they’d say James Van Riemsdyk for Luke Schenn.

The trade seemed reasonable at the time. “JVR” was playing terribly inconsistent for the Flyers, and he didn’t seem to have the wherewithal to take the next step as a consistent, top-line goal scorer. The swap was two high draft picks that each appeared to need a change of scenery to tap their high potential.

Not much has gone right for the Maple Leafs the last few seasons, but that trade may be one exception. JVR has turned into the 30 goal scorer Flyers fans hoped for, only in Toronto. Meanwhile, Luke Schenn found himself slipping out of the Flyers lineup. Not only was he not a key contributor, he was an occasional healthy scratch.

The Flyers tried to trade Schenn away this fall. Finding no takers, Schenn fit into the lineup as a #6 defenseman, at best. He didn’t get many opportunities, although sometimes it seemed like he deserved a few more.

With a few injuries, a few ugly losses, Luke Schenn eventually got his chance. Since receiving a longer look in the lineup, Luke Schenn has made the most of the opportunity. He’s been steady, playing a smart physical game. His mistakes on and away from the puck have also been minimized. And he just may be playing the best hockey of his career.

Corsi percentage ratings have never been Luke Schenn’s ally. They generally aren’t for stay-at-home physical defensemen. This season, Luke Schenn has changed that tune.

Luke Schenn’s career best season in terms of puck possession also manifests by examining teammate relative Corsi.

Luke Schenn is one of the most positively influential Flyers defensemen. His presence on the ice kicks up his teammates’ Corsi on average by over 4 percentage points.

The last trick Schenn has pulled this season is making a serviceable partner out of Nick Schultz. As evidenced by the previous chart, Nick Schultz has struggled badly this season. He has been a drag on every teammate he plays with. Since forming the unlikely pairing with Luke Schenn, Nick Schultz has been nearly an even Corsi player.

Again, most Flyers fans would sooner think of Mark Streit as a top talent on the Flyers defense. It’s only been since the two defensive players, Schenn and Schultz, have been paired together that Schultz’s possession bleeding has stemmed.

I don’t know if Luke Schenn has done enough to change a reputation that has been tarnished over multiple seasons. I don’t know if teams will be more interested in acquiring Schenn in a trade. I don’t know if the Flyers are having any second thoughts about giving Schenn a new contract. But he is playing well, and he has been one of the Flyers most effective defensemen this season.