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Only 19, Flyers' Travis Konecny has been 'impact' player (thanks, Toronto)

The trade that Flyers general manager Ron Hextall made at the 2015 draft looks better with each game Travis Konecny plays.

The 19-year-old rookie left winger known as T.K. has played only seven games but has made an eye-opening early impression.

"He has been an impact player," coach Dave Hakstol said after Konecny's first NHL goal triggered a furious comeback as the Flyers overcame a 3-0 third-period deficit Tuesday and stunned Buffalo, 4-3, in a shootout.

"The guys got going, got on a roll, and we see the outcome when we get going like that. That's what's exciting about hockey," Konecny said after late power-play goals by Brayden Schenn and Mark Streit (three points) sent the game into overtime and made hundreds of fans wish they hadn't left early. Claude Giroux and Jake Voracek scored in the shootout and Steve Mason was flawless in the breakaway competition.

It was the Flyers' first win when trailing by three goals in the third period since Dec. 19, 2013, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. In that game, they overcame a late 3-0 deficit and defeated Columbus, 5-4.

Konecny's goal, scored on a power-play deflection of Ivan Provorov's shot, gave the team "an injection of emotion, which we just couldn't find in the second period," Hakstol said. "…It was a pretty big hole to get out of. Getting that one provided a spark for our bench and for sure in our building."

In seven games, Konecny has a goal, five assists, and a plus-3 rating. He entered Wednesday tied for first among NHL rookies in assists and tied for third in points.

"It's been a good start. Definitely better than I expected," Konecny said the other day. "It's a process for the team and I'm excited for us. We're starting to figure out our structure and the way we're supposed to be playing. It's fun being around these guys every day."

Konecny has been told he will remain with the team after nine games. If he is sent back to juniors before the 10th game, his entry-level contract would not kick in.

"I've been told it's not a nine-game tryout, but I'm still treating it that way," he said. "I have to work hard every single day and make sure I'm doing things properly. I'm not going to sit back and relax and think the spot's mine."

Konecny and Toronto's Auston Matthews have been among the league's top rookies in the early part of the season.

Scary thought: Toronto came close to having Matthews and Konecny.

At the 2015 draft, the Flyers selected Provorov seventh overall. Hextall then traded the first-round pick he acquired from Tampa Bay in the Braydon Coburn deal (29th overall) and the 61st overall selection to the Maple Leafs for the 24th choice in the opening round.

That pick turned out to be Konecny, who has supplied speed, tenacity, creativity and playmaking skills, helping to make the Flyers' second line — with Sean Couturier and Voracek — just as dangerous as the team's top unit.

"Apart from the obvious things you see on the ice, I see a guy that is working hard on his game. He does that every day," Hakstol said of the 5-foot-10, 184-pound Konecny. "He has got a good level of humility to him, which I think endears him to the older guys in the room. He keeps his mouth shut and works and that's a positive."

Breakaways

Winger Dale Weise has served his three-game suspension and is eligible to return Thursday against visiting Arizona. As part of their 50th anniversary celebration, the team will honor most of the members of the Flyers Hall of Fame before the game. … Entering Wednesday, the Flyers were averaging 3.29 goals per game (10th in the NHL) and allowing 3.57 per game (25th). Their power play was fifth (26.9 percent success rate) and their penalty kill was 23rd (73.1 percent). … The Flyers (3-3-1) have been forced to make several comebacks because they have been outscored in the first period, 6-1, and have allowed the first goal in the last six games.