Travis Konecny
ON-ICE VALUE
Top-Six Forward
STRENGTHS
Finish: Konecny converts at a solid rate. He takes smart shots and can beat goaltenders cleanly with his wicked wrister or deceptive backhand. He’s also lethal in tight—whether he’s deking out goaltenders or beating defensemen to loose pucks. If you leave him open, he’ll make you pay.
Offensive Instincts: Part of the reason for his stellar finishing is his IQ. He puts himself in good positions, understanding when to push the pace and when to drop back in order to optimize his club’s spacing. He’s a clever playmaker as well. He doesn’t need much time to create high-danger opportunities.
Bold: Like most top-tier forwards, he has supreme confidence in his abilities. Konecny is always ready to challenge defenders one-on-one, pulling from a deep bag of tricks to create enough space for a shot. He’s not averse to attempting blind passes if he senses an open teammate either.
WEAKNESSES
Defense: The energy with which he plays on offense isn’t quite there on the defensive end. He’ll sleepwalk through shifts or start cheating up when he should be supporting the breakout. While he’s a willing shot-blocker, he doesn’t always take the right angles to block shots.
Puck Management: When he’s off, Konecny turns the puck over a lot. And cheaply. He’ll overhandle it in traffic or try to feather passes into the smallest of windows. It doesn’t help that he’s 5’10” and 175 pounds. Though he’s blessed with outstanding offensive tools, his decision-making can leave something to be desired.
