Travis Konecny led the Flyers last season with 68 points in 77 games, but don’t get too comfortable seeing him as their top dog for much longer. He put up 14 power play points, netted two game-winning goals, even added a short-handed tally, and averaged just over 19 minutes per game. Konecny edged out Trevor Zegras with 67 points and finished the year with a stellar +14 plus/minus compared to Zegras’ even. Even in the playoffs, where the Flyers faltered to Carolina in round two, Konecny chipped in with a goal and four assists. He was the top-line right winger from start to finish, and coach Rick Tocchet never lost confidence. But now, things are getting real.
The $70 Million Question: Is The Clock Ticking on Konecny?
Here’s the kicker: Konecny is heading into the second year of an eight-year, $70 million deal, with an $8.75 million Average Annual Value. He turns 30 next March, and let’s be honest, that’s when a lot of guys start thinking about the back nine of their careers. The hope is he at least matches, if not improves on, last season’s numbers. An 80-point season or hitting that point-per-game mark would be a huge bonus, but nobody’s expecting a 90-point explosion. The cold truth is, he’s closer to exiting his prime than entering it. At some point, that point total is probably going to go south, and he’s going to lose a step, maybe even a full one. A 25 or 35-point drop would be absolutely brutal for the Flyers, and this contract? Outside of a buyout, it’s basically impossible to move. Like Sean Couturier’s deal, between the cap hit, his age, and five seasons with a full No Movement Clause before a modified one kicks in, Konecny controls his destiny. If he doesn’t want to go, he ain’t going.
Someone Else Needs To Step Up, ASAP
Konecny is still going to be super vital for the Flyers over the next few seasons, no doubt. But in an ideal world, he’s not the top-line right winger by the end of this season. The hope is this shift happens because one or two young right wingers below him on the depth chart, specifically Porter Martone or Matvei Michkov, step up big time, generating more offense and just flat-out playing better. It can’t be because Konecny is injured or playing poorly. It won’t be easy, especially with how glued Tocchet has been to Konecny on that top line. But it’s conceivable. Matvei Michkov, in particular, appears ready to take on the world this season. Any bumps or sour tastes from the past, you gotta hope that’s still driving him. He needs to channel that fire and prove to everyone, including his coach, that he’s the real deal right now.
The Flyers need one of those young guns to hit the ground running, and fast. Tocchet’s loyalty is real, but if Michkov or Martone can light it up, it’ll force his hand. The future of that top line, and honestly, a huge chunk of the Flyers’ next few seasons, is riding on it.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Broad Street Hockey.
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