Travis Sanheim Says It’s Up To The Flyers Now For Success, “Chuck’s Done His Job, Now It’s Up To Us”

Photo Credit: Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images

“All the additions that we’ve made this offseason, I think it’s exciting to get to know all those guys meet them,” Travis Sanheim said. “I haven’t spoken with him (Rasmus Ristolainen) personally, but I’ve heard some great things. Spoken to Mike Yeo about them and Chuck about them as well. I’m excited to get to know them, potentially play with them. I know our forwards have hated to play against them and go up against them every night, so if he can bring that to our side and it can be a great pair.” The young 25-year-old, 6’3 181 pound, Travis Sanheim will now be paired with Ristolainen this coming season (Barring injuries). It could be a match made in heaven if Ristolainen can bounce back, and play an integral part for the Flyers in a reduced role.

This young, gifted Defenseman in Sanheim needs to be more consistent, and could learn to take the body. He needs to be more effective in the corners, but he has played effective hockey in the 2018-19 season. Sanheim registered a solid nine 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 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. He 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.”

“Obviously, me and Phil were really good friends and play together quite a bit, whether it’s American League or even in the NHL. Got to know him quite well. I messaged him as soon as the trade went down. Obviously, I’m going to miss him and best of luck in in Nashville. He reached out Saturday as well, right after I signed. We’ve got that good friendship, and hopefully we can meet up when we play each other next.”– Travis Sanheim

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.

Check out our Flyers Nitty Gritty Team Store!

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.

“I think just taking it to the next level. I think you got guys that have been there, done that. Ellis has played a lot of big games. I think we’re going to rely on those guys to come in and settle things down a little bit. I think we need that. There were certain nights there where maybe we ran into being a younger group. Sometimes you need that voice or that calmness and somebody that’s done it before. I think we’re going to learn a lot from those guys. I’m excited to not only meet them but learn from them as well.”– Travis Sanheim

Sanheim continues, “A lot of changes. A lot of new faces. I think everyone’s excited. I think we see a lot of good things in the moves that were made and gets us excited to get back to Philly. I know speaking with the other guys and the potential that we see. Chuck’s done his job. Now it’s up to us to come together as a group and show him the moves that he made and why he did them.”

He 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, but he has to become more consistent for this contract to be considered a good one.