Flyers’ Schenn Still Searching for Permanent Spot
By Marc Naples
The season of great uncertainty continues to churn for Brayden Schenn and the Philadelphia Flyers.
It started this offseason, when Sean Couturier got a long term extension, but Ron Hextall said let’s wait and see regarding an extension for Schenn. Even in the preseason when Schenn was scoring goals, Hextall could only offer tepid praise.
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The next turn came with Schenn’s name floating around in trade rumors. It doesn’t feel like there’s anything imminent on that front, but it remains an option as the season wears on.
As the season got into full swing, Schenn has moved all over the lineup. He’s spent time with a bunch of different forwards, and was on and off the first power play unit. Even with this uncertainty, he was producing and found himself surging to the team lead with 5 goals last week (Giroux passed him with his sixth the other night).
Head coach Dave Hakstol was not impressed. Schenn was a healthy scratch on Saturday night against the Hurricanes. Why would Hakstol do this? Well the advanced possession statistics don’t paint a pretty picture for Schenn. Schenn’s teammate-relative Corsi percentage (the positive or negative effect he has on teammates when he’s on the ice) is second worst among team forwards. Only team pariah Vincent Lecavalier is lower.
Nov 7, 2015; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Philadelphia Flyers center Brayden Schenn (10) celebrates with right wing Wayne Simmonds (17) after scoring on Winnipeg Jets goalie Ondrej Pavelec (not shown) during the third period at MTS Centre. Flyers win 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports
Fortunately for Schenn, his time in the press box didn’t last long. Ryan White was injured against the Hurricanes, so Schenn returned to the lineup, but this time on the top line with Claude Giroux and Jakub Voracek.
It’s only one game into this latest state of affairs for Schenn, but he’s off to a good start. The newly formed line had one of their better games of the season against the Kings on Tuesday night. On this line, Giroux and Voracek handle the puck carrying, leaving Schenn to play off the puck.
I’ve always thought one strength of Schenn’s game is anticipating the play and popping up in scoring spots at the right time. While I wish his shot was a little bit better, this skill should complement Giroux and Voracek very well.
Schenn played this role very well against the Kings. He played with great urgency, and piled up 10 shot attempts. Giroux scored the go-ahead goal thanks in part to a screen by Schenn, and Schenn had a goal of his own waived off.
Nov 17, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers center Brayden Schenn (10) reacts after after scoring what he thought was a goal against Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick (32) during the second period at Wells Fargo Center. The goal was disallowed as it was rule he kicked the puck in. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
The key for Schenn will be bringing this every night. This is not his first time on the top line with Giroux and Voracek, but on previous occasions he has not managed to stake a permanent claim on the spot. Now might be time.
Schenn will probably not get a better chance than he has now to prove himself for a long term role with the Philadelphia Flyers. He’s on both the top power play unit and the top line, and the puck seems to be going in for him. The Flyers had high hopes for Schenn when they acquired him, but their patience is not, nor should it be, infinite. It’s time for Schenn to take the next step while the door in Philadelphia is still open.