Next up is a Canadian kid from London, Ontario with two seasons in the OHL under his belt, and a point-per-game pedigree to boot. He's also the second cousin of Vancouver Canuck Bo Horvat, if that means anything.
Name | Origin | Age | Height | Weight | Pos. | League | Avg. Rank |
Travis Konecny | London, ON | 18 | 5'10" | 172 | C/RW | OHL | 13.4 |
While he's lacking in the size department, he's made up for it with determination and skill. A point-per-game player at nearly every level, Konecny's drive has gotten him ranked as high as 11th according to Future Considerations. In addition to his 29 goals in 60 games last year for the Ottawa 67's--his first year Captaining the team--he posted 3-7-10 in 5 playoff games before getting eliminated.
A talented scoring forward that can play either as a center or on the wing; plays with the bite and intensity of a guy who is willing to do anything to win a game. Possesses dynamic skating ability that allows him to accelerate rapidly with each step, incredible hockey sense, electrifying puckhandling skills, and a lightning release on his shot; when you put this skillset together with hard-nosed determination, proactiveness in all three zones, and a physical willingness to grind and persevere, you get a game-changer who can be extremely difficult to play against. - Elite Prospects
While the Bruins aren't starving at center, Konecny does have the ability to play both center and on the wing, and is extremely effective in all three zones. With the departure of some of their move defensive forwards in Gregory Campbell and (next year) Chris Kelly, Konecny could be an upgrade at the two-way position.
In addition to being a great two-way player, he has a highly regarded release on his wrist shot. According to Future Considerations, Konecny "...possess a hard shot with a deceptive release..." that has made him "...already one of the OHL’s most dangerous scorers." After being a goal-per-game player all through Midget hockey, TK has adjusted well and has 55 goals in 123 OHL games.
Konecny describes himself as a playmaker with skill, that’s reliable at both ends of the ice. The focus this season for Konecny has been to refine his defensive game while still providing offense. He has breakaway speed and great vision and possesses the ability to make plays or shoot while at top speed making him a dynamic offensive player. Despite his smaller size, he plays a physical style of game and is not afraid to deliver big hits and go into high traffic areas which make him a game breaker calibre player. - Peter Harling, 4/3/15
While there are better talents in the draft that could potentially fall to the Bruins, like a Barzal or Zacha, landing a kid like Travis Konecny would be a hell of a consolation prize sitting there in the middle of the first round. He's not a generational talent, but he seems prime for the NHL sooner than later, and would be a great fit on a defensively-sound Bruins roster.