SUNRISE, FL - FEBRUARY 13: Travis Sanheim #6 of the Philadelphia Flyers digs the puck out from the boards against Mike Hoffman #68 of the Florida Panthers at the BB&T Center on February 13, 2020 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/NHLI via Getty Images)
Photo Credit: Getty Images
How about them Philadelphia Flyersss? They are just on fire in the past ten games, while managing to be 7-2-1 in their last ten games. Balanced scoring is fueling this run, but Travis Sanheim is too.
Sanheim is back to his old form of razzling and dazzling between defenders, but playing well defensively, as well. “I’m obviously really excited,” Sanheim said via the team’s official press release after signing his new contract, “It’s a big step in my career. I’m looking forward to another two years with the Flyers. I’m really excited with the way the team’s moving forward and the moves we’ve made this summer.” Well, he has lived up to his contract this year that’s for sure.
The young 23-year-old, 6’3″ 181 pound, 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 $6.50 million ($3.25 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 finallllllly from the Lord’s prayers Sanheim registered approximately 21:55 ATOI when Scott Gordon took over the helm, good enough for a whopping 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 thinks this pair has grown a lot, and has 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 has been fantastic as of late. He’s in the passing lanes, his gap control is far better, and Sanheim is just confident with the puck which are leading to quick zone exits. Moreover, for his efforts he is only one goal from his career high of nine. Look for Sanheim to have a big game against Tampa Bay at 4pm today.
