NY Islanders are experiencing the main benefits of the Brayden Schenn trade

Time will tell whether Mathieu Darche's decision to trade for Brayden Schenn will look any better than it did at the end of last season.

The move raised questions about the direction of the New York Islanders, particularly with Darche attempting to build a younger roster while acquiring a veteran whose best offensive seasons appeared to be behind him.

Six games into the season, Schenn is showing there might be more left in the tank than some expected. But regardless of what he produces offensively, there's another element to his game that's already paying dividends.

His influence on the Islanders' young players.

For Cal Ritchie and Victor Eklund, adjusting to the NHL comes with a learning curve that extends well beyond scoring goals. Knowing when to change, how to manage the puck and understanding situations that don't necessarily appear on the scoresheet can determine whether a young player succeeds.

That's where Schenn comes in.

Eklund, who has played just six NHL games, credited Schenn with helping him understand smarter zone entries and avoiding mistakes near the blue lines.

"Just simple [things] like being careful of the blue lines and end of shifts," Eklund told NewYorkIslanders.com. "Just smart things to think about when you are young."

Schenn, tied for the team lead with 14 hits, has been impressed by Eklund's willingness to battle along the boards despite his 5-foot-11, 175-pound frame.

Ritchie has also made a point of surrounding himself with veterans, including Schenn, Kyle Palmieri and Casey Cizikas.

"Especially for me and Eky as young guys going in the league," Ritchie said. "Just always asking questions with him helps us a lot for sure."

Schenn, who has eight 20-goal seasons and eight 50-point campaigns on his resume, said the relationship works both ways, with the youngsters bringing energy and humor to the locker room.

Darche ultimately will be judged on whether Schenn helps the Islanders win.

But if Ritchie and Eklund develop into important pieces of the franchise's future, Schenn's influence could become one of the trade's most valuable returns.

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