Connor could do a few things once in while so he isn’t as predictable. Like finish a check or drive wide to the net. Yeah it’s not his natural instinct, but I’ve noticed D narrowing their gap on him knowing he’s gonna cut back entering the zone.
Apposing D give him very little room / gap - that's been going on for a while and has ramped up TY.
He's a target - and they know how dangerous he is. His game in the ozone is to set up and look for weaknesses - either finding a man open or he's looking for a route to the net.
Can you imagine how teams would play him if he was to get more involved along the walls or the physical battles that some would like to see more of?
He's be out of the lineup in no time.
As for driving wide to the net, he's not a power forward - you won't see that move too often with this player. I know Ehlers likes to take that route once in a while but he usually ends up behind the net - his bread and butter is also cutting to the center if there's open ice or a route to the net. The little guys are more effective when they have a chance to use their edges - that usually involves making cuts to the middle or spinning off coverage in areas where they have room to move - that's way apposing teams are gapping up on players like this - and they'd love nothing better than to funnel them off into a corner or behind the net - IMO.