Canucks sit Luke Schenn vs. Predators

Vancouver Canucks defenseman Luke Schenn wasn't in the lineup for Tuesday's 5-4 shootout loss to the Nashville Predators as the March 3 trade deadline looms.

The Canucks sat him to protect his value as a trade asset, according to TSN's Darren Dreger.

A pending unrestricted free agent, Schenn carries a cap hit of $850,000.

Schenn missed Vancouver's clash against the New York Islanders on Feb. 9 due to an upper-body injury but returned the following game versus the Detroit Red Wings.

The 33-year-old has three goals and 18 assists in 55 contests this season while averaging just over 17 minutes of ice time.

Schenn captured back-to-back Stanley Cup championships as a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2020 and 2021.

He isn't the first defenseman to be scratched for trade-related reasons this season. Arizona Coyotes star Jakob Chychrun hasn't played since Feb. 10, while Columbus Blue Jackets rearguard Vladislav Gavrikov hasn't suited up since Feb. 11.