Striiker
Earthquake Survivor
Brayden Schenn is really frustrating. People have said that's the worst game he's played as a Flyer, but he's actually had some efforts like that before.
Thus far this year, his shot is the same. His inability to win any battles in open ice or along the boards is the same. His passing was improved a bit, but hasn't been really utilized in a couple months, so what's the point? He's still tenacious and seems to be immune to pain, but shows no indication of really improving. He hasn't taken to wing all that well, which is unfortunate because he's way too passive and lacking in awareness to be a center. Example: Last night on the top line, V has the puck behind the net to the right. He gets the puck to Schenn. Schenn begins to skate left towards an open area where he could've had options, but instead immediately turns and heads behind the net right back towards where the puck was, and where two BJs were still in the area. They promptly challenged him and took the puck. Raffl or Hartnell would've done the smart thing. Brayden did the Schenn thing. I was flabbergasted the moment he turned back towards the back of the net, because I couldn't tell what his plan was. Nothing in his NHL career has told him that he would be capable of emerging with possession on the other side. Yet off he went anyways. At least Raffl understands his abilities and generally operates within them, instead of trying to do things he can't.
So...he doesn't fit at center, he doesn't fit at wing. He has been utterly unremarkable on a fantastic PP unit for a while. There has been little overall improvement in his game. He still shows little potential that he has a ceiling any better than what he currently is.
I said I'd give him one more year. I'm on the verge of quitting with the joking about retirement and such, and getting serious about moving him. He has done little in 3.5 years to prove he should be considered a vital building block. He doesn't seem to fit anywhere. If there is still a team high on him, I wouldn't be opposed to trading him for an actual winger with real upside.
I'm at the point now where I'm starting to question when I'm actually thinking clearly, during games when I get annoyed and think we should move him or in between games when I think being patient could still possibly work out.
That little ****er has completely made me second guess myself and go back and forth on the subject.