Is Travis Konecny the Flyers Offensive Star or Secondary Scorer?

If consistency was the issue for TK in the regular season, the long-delayed playoffs were a completely different story.  Konecny was incredibly consistent, perfect in fact, not scoring a single goal in the playoffs. None, in sixteen games.  He would end the playoffs with seven points.

Again, to be fair, Konecny played into a strong headwind. To start, coming out of hockey hibernation directly into the playoffs had to a mental challenge, like having Christmas in July, it had to feel wrong. The Flyers’ powerplay was awful, to the point that it likely cost them the series against the Islanders. As exciting and competitive as that series was Alain Vigneault’s coaching moves probably did more harm than good. Beginning with horrific, momentum-killing goal challenges and oft times leaving Konecny as a refugee, being shuttled between linemates and spare parts. It was probably a coaching mistake not to give more attention to get him going. Conversely, the bell cows on offense should be able to get it going with anyone, and Konecny was part of the Flyers’ putrid powerplay.

Konecny’s play over the last season and playoffs gives us evidence that supports both conclusions. At times he is capable of carrying the team’s offense, of being the guy.  At other times he can’t be counted on to keep his funks short and seems prone to extended droughts.

In the final analysis, Konecny is not an offensive centerpiece, at least not yet. The playoffs were so strange with the covid bubble, with the roster juggling, with the coaching, that I am inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt. With his play during the regular season, he has earned that much. I expect to see the trademark effort and fire this season, and for him to continue to improve on cashing in on his chances. I know Konecny is ready to try to take the next step, I hope the coaching staff will give him every chance to do it.