Ottawa Senators Should Trade For Travis Konecny: Report

Earlier in the offseason, Philadelphia Flyers forward Travis Konecny was the subject of trade rumors.

The Hockey Writers website suggested yesterday that the Ottawa Senators should take a run at trading for Konecny. 

The idea has merits. Konecny is only 26 and coming off a productive season with a career-high 31 goals and 61 points. Plus, Philadelphia Flyers general manager Daniel Briere said he would listen to trade scenarios involving anyone on the team.

Konecny’s trade value might never be higher. He was the Flyers’ leading goal scorer and points producer last season. He would be a valuable addition to many teams.

He is valuable to the Flyers, too. They need goal scorers and Konecny was their only 30-goal scorer on the team. He was aggressive on the ice, not afraid to mix it up with opponents. He has a sizzling shot.

Briere, in the hunt for draft picks, should — and would, I believe — hold out for an overwhelming return if they were to trade Konecny.

I don’t think the Flyers feel the need to trade Konecny, as they did with Kevin Hayes and Tony De Angelo, before they unconditionally waived him. If they get a great deal, OK, let’s think about it. If not, move on.

Replacing DeBrincat?

The Hockey Writers’ Raphael Caron suggested the trade since Ottawa traded Alex DeBrincat to Detroit and need a top-six forward.

From Caron: “Last season, Konecny put up 31 goals and 61 points in 60 games to finish first in team scoring despite having played 21 fewer games than Kevin Hayes, who put up 54 points.

“But Konecny brings so much more to his team than what this stat line suggests. He’s the type of hard-nosed player who can be the heart and soul of a team. He plays the game with an edge and a lot of energy for his 5-foot-10, 175-pound frame. His intensity, combined with his dynamic offensive skills makes him a threat.”

Konecny’s contract is attractive. He gets paid $6 million this season and $7 million next season before he hits free agency. The Senators — Claude Giroux’s team —  missed the playoffs last season but might believe they are a goal scorer away from returning to the postseason.

Ottawa has missed the playoffs for six consecutive seasons.

The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun reported this about Konecny: “The Flyers have continued to listen on Travis Konecny, and I know they’ve received a few trade offers of late, but unless something changes, GM Danny Briere is likely to keep Konecny in the fold to start the season. Nothing that’s come the Flyers’ way has made them blink.”

The offseason moves forward with the draft behind us and free agency having calmed down. But teams still talk, trades are proposed.

“If they do choose to acquire him, however, it could point the team in the right direction to finally make it back to the postseason,” Caron wrote.

Everything Caron writes about why Konecny would be valuable to the Senators are reasons why he remains valuable to the Flyers.