Travis Konecny has been, simply put, the best member of the Philadelphia Flyers through the last two years. The winger has found another gear, scoring 53 goals and 103 points through 110 games in some unfavorable matchups.
Logically, we might want to come to the conclusion that Konecny blossoming into this top-tier talent corresponds with the Flyers deciding to hire John Tortorella as the head coach at the same time. We can do that without anyone saying anything, but also it helps when Konecny himself credits a lot to what he has been able to do, to his head coach.
“I think Torts does a good job — each player has their own way of learning — breaking into a player’s habits and getting them to follow the same path,” Konecny said at the media availability during All-Star Weekend in Toronto. “Not necessarily, that every player has to do the same thing but he gets everyone in the same structure, on the same path and then allows us to be ourselves within that.”
The 26-year-old then connects how he is playing under Tortorella to some of his previous coaches, and just what the current bench boss does with him as an individual on the ice that makes him excel.
“I’ve had a lot of times with different coaches,” he said, “where the style I play sometimes, and I’ve heard Torts talk about how sometimes I do some wild things, and those things have put me right in the doghouse, and not able to do anything after that. With Torts, it’s been as long as I work hard on both sides of the puck and I play the right way, then he allows me to play my game somewhat to how I would prefer to play it.”
This freedom within a confined structure is simply what makes Tortorella teams go and Konecny seems like the perfect example of a player who within some borders, can do exactly what they want. And maybe, that involves opening an entire new world to a skilled player, like the wonderful world of killing penalties.
“I’ve never penalty killed before I got the opportunity here,” Konecny said. “But, I think I like it because if I’m not into a game — sometimes the power play’s not going, or 5-on-5 is not going — I think a penalty kill is a good way to get yourself into it and feel like you’re contributing. And I also have a lot of fun with me and Laughton being able to do it together.”
It really does feel like Konecny is flourishing under Tortorella. Now, is this the chance to think about trading the 26-year-old as the Flyers continue their rebuilding process, with the hope that some team buys in that they can do what Tortorella is doing? Or, is this a sign that he should re-sign with Philadelphia after his contract expires in the summer of 2025 because he is doing so well here?
We will probably find that answer out before the NHL trade deadline on March 8.
