Brayden Schenn is one of hockey’s more challenging enigmas. It seems as if the promising winger is always primed to have a breakthrough season, yet it never comes. Instead, it looks like Schenn has hit a wall and hasn’t shown the expected progression.
Many thought Schenn was going to exceed expectations after the lockout year of 2012-13, when he recorded 26 points in 47 games. But, he didn’t show much progression the following years–only scoring 41 points in the 2013-14 season and 47 this past year. While these numbers may show little improvement, Schenn has made great strides in bettering his NHL career as an asset to the Flyers’ roster.
The 2014-15 season gave us a glimpse into the future for Schenn. While he only increased his point total by 6 points, he was much more prominent on the team’s top power play unit. With two of the NHL’s best scorers, Claude Giroux and Jacob Voracek, Schenn more than doubled his power play points from the previous season.
He has also proven himself as a clutch scorer, netting six game winning goals in each of the last two seasons. It’s these high pressure situations that Schenn has thrived in, and his presence on the team goes beyond the number of points scored.
Regardless of how he factors into the games’ final moments, the 2015-16 season is going to be integral to Schenn’s future with the organization. If he doesn’t improve his scoring, it’s likely Flyers G.M. Ron Hextall moves him at the trade deadline.
Schenn is only 24-years-old and has yet to approach the prime of his career. It’s easy to forget that given his lengthy time in the NHL. However, he has been on the Flyers’ roster for five years, and that’s plenty of time to adjust to an NHL style of play.
The saying is, “You either got it, or you don’t.” This is the year we determine what exactly Schenn has.