Travis Konecny Explains Why He Lost Ice Time, How to Regain Hakstol's Trust

VOORHEES, N.J. - Travis Konecny's ice time was cut by nearly nine minutes (11:35) against the Rangers from what it was last weekend in Anaheim.
 
And cut by three minutes overall from his season average of 14:49.
 
This a week after he was benched on the West Coast road trip in San Jose.
 
On Friday, at Skate Zone, the 19-year-old rookie said he's figured out why he lost ice time during Wednesday's 5-2 defeat to the Rangers.
 
"You can't really control a hockey game," he said. "When we are playing home games, sometimes it's hard on the left winger. Sometimes in the first period and third period you can get stuck on the far side of the ice.
 
"It happened a couple times to our left wingers. But it's happened to me multiple times. When I can't get off the ice, it's little factors like that as to why I can't get [back] on in the game. Penalty kill and other things I can't control. But I understand and won't get down on myself."
 
Flyers coach Dave Hakstol didn't get overly specific as to why he cut Konecny's ice time.
 
"He needs to get a little bit better, entire game, that's being honest," Hakstol said after the game.
 
"We mixed and matched a lot during the third period to try and get going and he was one of the guys that was in and out at that point in time, he was one of the guys that was out, but it's not all on him for sure, don't mistake my comment."
 
Konecny is part of a major lines shakeup heading into this weekend.
 
He got bounced off Brayden Schenn's unit and will return to Sean Couturier's unit along with Jakub Voracek. The three played 18 of the first 19 games this season together.
 
Konecny is learning things the hard way these days. The coaching staff's hope is that these recent events don't destroy his confidence. He says the right things, yet you never know what's going on inside his head.
 
Asked how he will regain Hakstol's trust, it might happen easier playing with a defensive-minded center such as Couturier.
 
"I think it takes time," Konecny said. "It depends on the game too. Anaheim, depending on how they were playing, the ice just kind of opened up for me and they used me a lot.
 
"In a game like [the Rangers], no matter what the score is, they're going to be flipping pucks and just creating offense constantly.
 
"We may feel safer putting somebody out there like, for example, Coots played in my spot a couple of times. He's a reliable guy and it's just something I've got to work on."
 
Remembering Ed
Today would have been former Flyers founder Ed Snider's 84th birthday. In his honor, student-athletes from the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation will compete at Wells Fargo Center tonight at 7.
 
Two hours prior, those student-athletes will get a behind-the-scenes tour of the arena that highlights Snider's vision, impact and legacy. There will also be a life skills session that will help students reflect on Snider's core values.

Copyright CSNPhily
Contact Us