Meltzer's Player Profiles: Travis Sanheim

Flyers defenseman Travis Sanheim, who celebrated his 24th birthday on March 29, has shown year-to-year improvements in his all-around game over the course of his four professional seasons and three campaigns in the National Hockey League.

With each successive season, the offensively gifted Sanheim has gained in confidence and assertiveness. In terms of his off-puck play, Sanheim's gap management, up-ice reads and ability to bounce back after a mistake have all significantly improved on a season-by-season basis. Although he will never be a particularly physical player despite his tall frame, Sanheim makes his presence known with his mobility and range.
Last season, under head coach Scott Gordon and defense coach Rick Wilson, Sanheim spent much of the second half of the season playing right defense paired with Ivan Provorov. He won the Pelle Lindbergh Memorial Award, chosen by his teammates, as the team's most improved player over the course of the 2018-19 campaign.
This season, under new head coach Alain Vigneault and new defense coach Mike Yeo, Sanheim had a bit of a rough start in the early weeks. It included a spell where the player -- normally a stellar skater-- mysteriously had trouble with falling down to the ice. That stretch, thankfully, was short-lived.
As the campaign has progressed, Sanheim found a groove playing his natural left side on the Flyers' second pairing. Early in the season, Sanheim was often paired with Justin Braun. In more recent months, he has been paired with rookie Phil Myers. Both individually and in tandem, the duo has begun to bring to the NHL what they showed as AHL partners with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.

For the first time in his NHL career, Sanheim has become a regular all-situations players for the Flyers. He is now a regular part of the penalty killing rotation.
Sanheim has seen less power play time this season than he did a season ago, but the absence of Shayne Gostisbehere for much of the second half of the season gave Sanheim the opportunity to reclaim a regular spot on the team's second power play unit.
Overall, Sanheim has chipped in eight goals and 25 points in 69 games played this season. He is 10th on the team in scoring, and third among defensemen.
FIVE KEY FACTS
1) Sanheim has averaged 20:09 of ice time per game this season. He averaged 18:54 last season and 11:33 as a rookie in 2017-18. The biggest usage jump this season has been on the penalty kill; averaging 1:55 per game in 2019-20 after playing an average of 33 seconds on the PK per game last season.
2) Sanheim's 52.2 percent Corsi rating (percentage of all 5-on-5 shot attempts for/ against the Flyers when he's on the ice) leads the team's blueline this season. He also leads the Flyers defense corps in 5-on-5 expected goals.
3) Over a four-game stretch this season between Dec. 17 to Dec. 23, Sanheim racked up five points (2g, 3a). Later notched his first career two-goal game on Jan. 13 against Boston, and also logged a career-high 25:32 of ice time in the Flyers 6-5 comeback victory.
4) Among his 17 assists this season, Sanheim has eight primary assists and nine secondary helpers. His shots have created 14 rebound scoring opportunities for teammates; third among Flyers' defensemen.
5) Sanheim has dressed in every game the Flyers have played over the last two seasons. He has not been scratched for any reason -- coach's decision, injury or illness -- since Games 5 and 6 of the 2018 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against Pittsburgh.
TOP HIGHLIGHTS

1) Dec. 23 vs NYR (19:58, 2nd period and 15:49, 3rd period): In one of the most offensively dominant performances of his pro career, Sanheim compiled three points (2g, 1a) to send his team into the Christmas break on a rousing note. His first goal, scored just before time expired in the second period, tied the score at 1-1. The floodgates opened in the third period. Sanheim's second goal opened a 3-1 edge. The Flyers went on to beat the Rangers, 5-1.

2) Jan. 13 vs BOS (12:58, 3rd period): Another two-goal performance by Sanheim. His first goal, tallied early in the second period, temporarily narrowed a 3-1 deficit to 3-2. The latter goal capped a comeback from a 5-2 defict and ultimately forced overtime and a shootout. The Flyers won the game, 6-5.

3) Feb. 10 vs. FLA (19:08, 2nd period): Sanheim has frequently tortured ex-Flyers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky during the two-time Vezina Trophy winner's career in Columbus and Florida. That trend has continued this season, with Sanheim posting two goals and an assist in three games against the Panthers. This late second-period goal, scored in a scramble around the net, put the Flyers well on the way to a 4-1 victory.
THEY SAID IT
"Travis is still a young player, but he's got some experience now. He's an outstanding young man, and he appreciates being coached. He's been playing very well for awhile now, and showing what he can do."
-- Alain Vigneault, Feb. 27, 2020
HE SAID IT
"Having the right frame of mind is so important. ...When you're down a little bit, things tend to not go your way, and vice versa. When you've got a ton of confidence, it seems like everything's going in for you."
-- Travis Sanheim, Nov. 3, 2019