Future Flyers: Konecny Struggling, Sanheim Shines
Updates from around the farm for our future Flyers:
Travis Konecny
Konecny has been struggling since having a great first game back in Juniors after being reassigned by the Flyers. He had two goals on first night back, and since has gone pointless in three games while rocking a minus-five. This is actually kind of concerning, as he was so productive in training camp here he seemed not only ready to play in the NHL, but if sent back, would be a man among boys.
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There’s still a long season ahead, but if Konecny wants to make the NHL squad next season he will need to develop his offensive game this season beyond where it is at right now. One of those three games since his first game was last night, where the only thing on the score sheet was that he just went minus-one in a 5-1 win for the team. Not good.
Travis Sanheim and Ivan Provorov Faceoff
Sanheim and Provorov played each other in the WHL last night, with Sanheim and the Calgary Hitmen winning 3-2. Sanheim record two assists and plus-one, while Provorov went even with no points.
Sanheim has been fantastic since being sent back. He’s second on the team in points with one goal, two assists for three points through three games. That also has him tied for second in the league for defensemen, only behind by one point.
Provorov has been solid since his return to the WHL and Brandon. He has two assists through three games and rocks a plus-three. All of his assists came in his second game back, so last night’s game and his first game back were ones he was held pointless.
Both Sanheim and Provorov has transitioned well back into their roles on their Junior clubs. It’ll be exciting to see if Sanheim can really make a push to become the top scoring defenseman in the WHL, which would all but secure a role on the Flyers next season as long as his defense is solid. Otherwise he’ll be on the Phantoms regardless.
We all know Provorov on another organization without the log jam at defense and cap issues would have made their NHL squad. He knows it, the beat writers know it, and the Flyers won’t admit it, but they know it. He just needs to improve his game, get a little more size to him, and keep on grinding. He will be in orange and black sooner rather than later.
Nicolas Aubé-Kubel
Aubé-Kubel has went from just being another second round pick, to being one of the top winger prospects the Flyers have. Through four games on Val-d’Or, he has eight points (four goals and four assists) and is rocking a stellar +11. It also helps he’s playing with the best player in the Q, Anthony Beauregard (leads the Q with 17 points in 8 games).
Aubé-Kubel is going to put up big numbers this season, and when he comes to camp next season to make the jump to pro (he turns 20 in May ’16) he will turn some heads.
Felix Sandstrom
The Swedish goaltender that was marked down by many experts, scouts, and teams for being injured a lot has been fantastic so far for Brynas IF in the SHL. Through three games, he has a GAA of 1.62 and a Save % of .932. This is exciting news for the Flyers as they are in a huge need for an elite goalie prospect, and this could be one of them.
Matej Tomek could be another to add to the mix, but the NCAA begins preseason today.
That’s it for now, we will continue to keep you updated on there is the know about the future Flyers and their progress. It is a very bright future for the team.
Next: Potential Landing Spots for Luke Schenn