At This Point Is Flyers’ Travis Sanheim Expendable

It wasn’t so long ago that the Flyers’ faithful were elated when the Flyers’ General Manager Ron Hextall decided to select this young offensively-gifted defenseman from the Western Hockey League’s (WHL) Calgary Hitmen 17^th overall back in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. Rightfully so, because throughout his junior career Sanheim only continued to develop after being drafted and could conceivably do no wrong. Through three seasons (186 games played), Travis torched the twine with 35 goals 127 assists for a total of 162 points. If that wasn’t impressive enough, Sanheim proved that he (at one point in his career) was defensively responsible as well; While playing for the Hitmen he was a plus 67 over those three seasons. 

After such an impressive junior career the Flyers took the smart route and did not rush Sanheim. Instead, they placed him in the American Hockey League (AHL) to continue his development with their affiliate the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Once turning pro, it took Travis parts of two seasons until the Flyers thought him to be ready for the jump to the NHL. 

At just 25-years-old this restricted free agent is again in need of a new contract after completing just his third season in the NHL. His last was a 2-year deal worth $6,500,000- paying him $3,250,000 a season. But a lot has changed since Travis inked that last deal: For example, Sanheim’s novelty has seemed to wear off! His offensive skill set is no longer able to hide his defensive liabilities. Over the course of just 55 games played this season Sanheim was a minus 22 on the season, making him a minus 28 for his career. 

He has become a target who opposing teams tend to try and exploit in games. Never known for his physicality, the best in the league will often see Sanheim on the ice and decide to head down his side of the ice. This is because this now 6’4 defenseman has shown a tendency to not stand players up at his blueline, but rather allow them to come into his zone untouched, skating backwards while trying to poke check them seems to be his go-to. But this method has shown over time to be grossly ineffective to say the least. Time and time again the stars of Eastern Conference will just blow right by him when he does this. 

Also, this gentle giant will not clear the crease out so that his goaltenders can see the puck. Instead, Travis will let the offensive threat get behind him setting themselves up for a screen or a redirection. Or, on the rare occasion he does take notice of them, Sanheim will stand beside them (further screening his own goaltender) and just try and lift his opponent’s stick. 

This meek-and-mild style of play that Travis continues to employ while out on the ice may be most to blame because of Sanheim’s constant struggles with gaining weight. In past interviews Travis has echoed the fact that he has finally eclipsed the 200-pound mark (after weighing in at 184 pounds at the NHL Draft Combine) which must not be converting into muscle because Sanheim is constantly losing puck battles against much smaller opponents while they are on the forecheck. I mean, he couldn’t even intimidate or outmuscle the 5’4 Nathan Gerbe last season (as shown below), who is a whole foot shorter than him! 

While Sanheim may not be the only Flyers blue liner whose play has been less-than-satisfactory to date, he is the only one who is getting paid a multi-million-dollar contract that is set to expire. Philadelphia should take advantage of the fact that they still hold his negotiating rights for another two years- all they have to do is extend a qualifying offer to him in order to be retain those rights. The Flyers should take some time to weigh all their options here: The team needs a scoring winger, a 1^st pairing right-hand-shot defenseman, and a goaltender who can play in a tandem role alongside Carter Hart. 

Philadelphia has a multitude of other left-hand-shot (LHS) defensive prospects who are highlighted by Cameron York and Egor Zamula- who have both shown this season that they can compete on an NHL level and may be worthy of a full-time roster spot on the Flyers’ blue line next season. The team also has the gargantuan LHS Sam Morin who says that he wants to come back to Philly next season, who was largely under-utilized this year. 

With this in mind, should the Flyers then consider Sanheim expendable? Might they be better suited to try and move him in a package deal this off season to acquire a much more crucial piece of the puzzle? Or should they just trade him to a team that requires help NOW, for one of their better prospects? Yes, I know, you should always sell high and buy low, but can the Flyers really afford another season from Sanheim like he had this year?  It might even be better to cut their losses at this point and use the extra cap space to secure a much better player next season.