Isaac on Flyers: Can Brayden Schenn Stick on Top Line?

PHILADELPHIA — For the better part of three seasons, the Flyers have searched for 1LW.

The title, first line left wing, has gone to quite a few people. For a while, 1LW was Michael Raffl. For a game last season Wayne Simmonds was 1LW. Same for Matt Read.

For nearly half of last season, and again now, Brayden Schenn was 1LW.

Not only has he moved around the lineup, Schenn has also moved around the ice. The natural center has played all three forward positions this season. He was on the fifth line on the depth chart to open training camp, worked his way up to the third line for a while, was benched last week and went right to the top line upon his return.

(Listen to Flyers radio analyst Steve Coates on the Sports Bash)

So how does he stay there?

“Produce,” Schenn said with a grin.

Another prerequisite: shoot the puck.

With Claude Giroux and Jake Voracek on the top line, two playmakers that prefer passing to shooting, whoever 1LW is needs to be willing to shoot the puck.