Travis Konecny

Konecny's production a season ago (16 goals, 52 points in 79 games) seems fine on the surface, but those scoring numbers came with a horrid minus-23 rating attached, and most of the points were of the "empty" variety considering Philadelphia's year was seemingly over before it started. The Flyers appear as if they will trot out virtually the same roster they ended the year with, so significant improvement seems unlikely. That said, Konecny is due some positive regression in the goal-scoring department. His 220 shots on goal a year ago were a career high, but his 7.3 percent shooting percentage was by far a career low. Konecny's hard-nosed style of play should work well under new bench boss John Tortorella, but then again, who really knows with Torts.

Konecny was arguably Philadelphia's most valuable skater as recently as a year ago, but he, along with many of his teammates, saw their stocks crater following a dreadful 2020-21 campaign. Konecny's production (11 goals, 34 points, 100 shots, 11 power-play points) was down across the board this past year. It's now up to fantasy owners to figure out if it was all just an aberration or a sign of things to come. The drop off in goals - from 24 to 11 - can be somewhat explained by Konecny's abnormally high 17 percent shooting percentage back in 2019-20, but everything else is up for debate. There's theoretical bounce-back potential here given the fact Konecny won't turn 25 years of age until this coming February, but there's no guarantee it happens.

Konecny continued to improve during his fourth full NHL campaign in 2019-20, tying his career high in goals (24) while setting new career highs in assists (31), power-play points (23) and average TOI (16:48). The 23-year-old forward's role may not grow much in 2020-21, as he'll likely be limited to second-line and second power-play unit minutes, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him crack the 17-minute threshold in year five. Around 30 goals, 40 assists and 25 power-play points over the course of a full season are all in reach for Konecny at this stage in his career. He won't offer much in terms of physicality -- he's averaged less than a hit per game over the past two campaigns -- but his offensive contributions will make him a fine addition in the middle rounds of this year's fantasy drafts.

The 22-year-old has been remarkably consistent early on in his career. With the exception of his plus-minus rating, Konecny has posted nearly identical numbers during each of the last two campaigns. In 2018-19, he recorded 24 goals, 49 points, 40 PIM and 182 shots on net in 82 games while in 2017-18, he registered 24 goals, 47 points, 46 PIM and 177 shots on goal in 81 contests. That should give owners confidence that he can reach 24 goals for a third straight season in 2019-20, but Konecny also has the potential for more should his playing time increase, particularly on the power play. He only averaged 15:16 of ice time per game last year, so there's definitely room for improvement in that regard. If he's given even a marginal increase in playing time, Konecny shouldn't have any trouble eclipsing the 50-point mark for the first time in his career this campaign.

Konecny built upon his rookie season behind a very strong second half that helped him finish with 24 goals and 47 points in 2017-18. In January, the 21-year-old received a chance to play more often with the Flyers' top line, and he took advantage, scoring 18 goals and 31 points with a plus-18 rating in the final 37 games. The next step for Konecny is to produce more with the man advantage. He posted just three power-play points last season, including one during his tremendous second half. If he could notch just a handful of power-play points, owners are looking at Konecny scoring 25 goals and 50-plus points.

Konecny was eased into NHL action on a poor Flyers team last season, and he showed promise in a limited role (14:05 of average ice time), notching 11 goals and 28 points over the course of 70 games. He might have done much more if not for a lower-body injury that cost him almost all of February, as he seemed to have little left in the tank after coming back, ultimately ending the campaign with one point in the final 11 games. However, the 20-year-old may be set for a major breakout in 2017-18 thanks to his projected spot as the top-line left winger alongside high-end performers Claude Giroux and Wayne Simmonds; that gig may result in placement on the club’s highly productive No. 1 power-play unit as well, which would be quite a boon. Opportunity is knocking for Konecny, whom the Flyers claimed 24th overall in the 2015 draft, and he has the talent to answer the call. Snag him late in drafts and reap the rewards.

The Flyers’ first-round pick in 2015 (24th overall), Konecny saw his game improve by leaps and bounds last season after he was traded within the OHL from the Ottawa 67’s to the Sarnia Sting. He’d been good with Ottawa, but Konecny exploded in Sarnia, churning out 23 goals and 56 points in 31 games. At just 19 years old, he’s expected to fight for a roster spot with the Flyers come training camp, and with the Flyers looking for some more scoring punch beyond their stars, it’s not at all improbable for Konecny to make the team. He’d look a lot better centering their third line than the likes of Pierre-Edouard Bellemare and Boyd Gordon, that’s for sure, but the Flyers may prefer to have him continue developing in juniors.