Wow, can't believe this turned into a pissing contest over Raffl and Schenn but I'll play along and chime in.
Raffl has a nose for the net and has good hands, Schenn simply doesn't. G and V are the ones on their line who carry the puck and generate the offense, they need a "finisher" with them. Schenn isn't a finisher, Raffl is. Raffl has the speed to keep up with G and V on a breakaway, Schenn doesn't.
Schenn is a good all around player who does many things well but really hasn't "defined" himself yet. To me, last year he seemed to be the most useful to the team and actually fill a needed role when he was on the PP and playing in front of the net (a role we like Simmonds for better, but it's nice to have 2 guys who can do it).
Schenn is young and can still figure it out and difine for himself his own "valuable role" on this team but as it stands right now he's not "vital" and I could easily see him getting move to fill a holeat LW if he prices hhimself out of Philly. Raffl fills a very specific role on the team and plays a position of serious weakness for us making him IMO more "valuable" but not necessarily better.
Personally, I'd like to see Schenn resigned for 5 years at 4mil per (as others have said you can't have Schenn, Cootscand G all needing new contracts the same year) and Raffl at 2.5 mil for 3 years. I think both are fair and tries to keep as much of the "important" forwards he for the time being.
Remember, Schenn will very soon become our 4th best RW if he stays at that position. Either he has to move to LW and be effective or he needs to be traded
