Unfinished Business For Provorov And Konecny
With another passing week where Flyers GM Chuck Fletcher continues an active and ambitious offseason.
With the re-signing goaltender Brian Elliot to a one year deal and completing a trade for center Tyler Pitlick in exchange for Ryan Hartman, two very big moves remain in question for the Flyers: Defenseman Ivan Provorov and winger Travis Konecny.
With an estimated 16 million left in cap space before the flood gates open July 1st for UFA availability, some could argue that there is plenty of cap space remaining to complete both deals. However, reports have surfaced stating that both player extensions are far from being a done deal.
Both names are valuable homegrown assets to the future of the organization. Even despite (both) sharing a less than stellar 2018-2019 performance, both players also share high expectations from Flyers front office, fans, and teammates.
Travis Konecny finished his 2018-2019 season by almost replicating his same numbers in stats from his rookie year the year before with 24 goals, 25 assists totaling 49 points. Not a bad sophomore effort, regardless of sharing an almost identical effort the year before. However, the expectations were raised after the 2017-2018 season and now entering his 3rd NHL season, a deal needs to be inked soon and while showing no actual progress in numbers, this could help Fletcher complete a deal for a bargain. Even while raising the bar of expectations once again for the upcoming season.
There is definitely a ceiling, and it’s doubtful we’ve seen what that is in Travis’s game. His projected yearly contract could see him taking home anywhere between 2-4 Million, annually. As for how many years, remains to be seen.
Unlike Konecny, fourth-year Defenseman Ivan Provorov did see a noticeable drop off in numbers from his sophomore season in 2017-2018 from 2018-2019. Provorov net only 7 goals, 19 assists and finished at a -16 as opposed to his 17 goals, 24 assists and +17 the year prior.
Now, even though last season’s numbers were almost cut in half, this could be a tremendous bargaining chip for the Flyers to re-sign Provorov for less money than previously expected. With a projected 5-7 million annual payout, the Flyers could end up holding onto one of the league’s most elite defensemen for less than they imagined due to Provorov’s lackluster third season contributions.
Both players have high ceilings and even more, weight to carry going into the 2019-2020 season if contracts get signed, especially considering how many young prospects will be getting their chance to suit up in the orange and black this October.
Two young vets inked to new deals who may have just put two dismal seasons behind them could both end up bouncing back in a big way, and at a bargain, for the Flyers. However, both deals remain to be seen and could end up going the distance.
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Categorized:Flyers