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
Surging past 10,000…Surging past 10,000 confirmed cases (As of 5am this morning) of the Coronavirus in the United States, with the death toll raising exceeding more than 100 in the US. This virus is spreading like a wildfire, and action had to be taken on sports throughout the United States. Last Thursday, most sporting events throughout the World suspended (Pending with the hopes to resume play), or cancelled play for the rest of the season. Action had to be taken in the NHL, and Gary Bettman suspended play with the hopes of resuming the season at some point in the future.
Believe it or not, there is some good news to report with the suspension of play in the NHL due to to the Coronavirus. Injured players can heal, and hopefully return, when play resumes sometime late in June or July as proposed to the players, or early May (At the earliest). What does this mean for the Flyers? Well, Nolan Patrick (Migraine Disorder) might be able to return from injury. Your Philadelphia Flyers were rocking before the virus hit as they sit in second place in the Metropolitan Division with 89 points. For their efforts, the Flyers were rocking due to the solid play of one player in particular Travis Sanheim.
Sanheim was back to his old form of razzling and dazzling between defenders, but playing well defensively, as well before the suspension, “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 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 is only one goal from his career high of nine. If the season reconvenes, look for Sanheim to surpass his career high in goals.
