Photo Credit: Katelynn Reiss
The young 25-year-old, 6’3 181 pound, Travis Sanheim entered the 2018-19 season with one goal in mind, improve from last year. In his first stint with the orange and black in 2017-18, Sanheim found himself in and out of the lineup at times. Fast forward to the 2018-19 season, and he became a permanent fixture on the Flyers blue line, emerging as one of the most consistent Defensemen that the Flyers had.
This young, gifted Defenseman in Sanheim has made the most of his NHL opportunity when he was given the chance to do so, and his new two-year contract of $9.35 million ($4.675 million AAV) is very much well deserved. For the 2018-19 season, Sanheim registered a solid 9 goals, and 26 assists in 82 games played. Yes, he made some mistakes, however, Sanheim was phenomenal for the most part. Sanheim had a Corsi rating of 49.5% (EV) on the season, and finally from the Lord’s prayers Sanheim registered approximately 21:55 ATOI when Scott Gordon took over the helm. He eventually finished with a career-high total of 19:34 ATOI for the season.
Fast forward to the 2019-20 season, Sanheim has made his fair share of mistakes, but with that, his game has grown to where he is now a permanent fixture as a middle pairing defenseman. Good for him, as he has struggled at times this season, especially with a new defensive partner in Philippe Myers. However, Alain Vigneault thought the pair grew a lot, and really developed some chemistry, “I really like this pairing,” Vigneault said, “They have grown a lot, and have developed chemistry. We have asked a lot from them.”
Sanheim was fantastic before the suspension. He was in the passing lanes, his gap control was better, and Sanheim was just confident with the puck which were leading to quick zone exits. Moreover, for his efforts he finished one goal from his career high of nine, due to Covid-19.
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For the 2020-21 season, Sanheim registered three goals, and 12 assists in 55 games played. Yes, he made some mistakes, however, Sanheim did improve as the season wore on, so much so that he was trusted by Head Coach Alain Vigneault to play more than 25 minutes a night on multiple occasions. Sanheim had a Corsi rating of 54.1% (EV) on the season, and hopefully he learns to take the body more. That has been one downfall in his short NHL career. He has to learn to be more effective in wrapping up his opponents, given his height Sanheim should be able to do just that.
Sanheim seals gaps well, but he has to get bigger and stronger to move his opponents. In the end, the Flyers could use a dependable second pairing defenseman that is a good skater and can log minutes, thus Sanheim provides both of those elements as he logged a career high in minutes last season with 21:53 per game.
Defensemen that can skate and log minutes are hard to come by in the NHL, they do not grow on trees. The one aspect that does not make me happy about this deal is it’s only for two years. Sanheim will become an unrestricted free agent after the term of this deal is complete. One thing is for certain, this will be Sanheim’s biggest season yet given his cap hit. In the same token with looking at what other players made this offseason in terms of pay. Sanheim’s $4.675 million cap hit aligns with other players.
The Flyers starting defense only totals $25.7 million this season and it is vastly improved from last season at least on paper:
Provy, Ellis
Sanheim, Ristolainen
Yandle, Braun
How does a player that was minus 22 last season get a raise?