Travis Sanheim has come a long way.
He was drafted as a project. He proved unable to stick at the NHL level in his first go-around. He took plenty of heat from fans during his “growing pains” years in his early to mid 20s. He very nearly was traded to St. Louis.
And now, he’s clearly one of the Philadelphia Flyers‘ best players, on a team that just ended a five-year postseason drought. Oh, and an Olympian.
The 2025-26 season for Sanheim was the culmination of all of his years of hard work and development as a player. He delivered his best all-around season yet, earned his way onto Team Canada (and impressed once he made the team) and then was arguably the Flyers’ best skater in their first-round playoff victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The debate over whether Travis Sanheim is a good NHL defenseman is long over. Now, the question is just how good he is — and how long the 30-year old can stay this good.
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6 Comments (5 conversations)
MarioD
Sanheim deserves a lot better than the way this organization treated him and deserves a chance to go to a contending team while he’s still near his prime.
Matt
I know you get a lot of hate here (and back in the day at the Athletic) but you’re totally correct most of the time. Sanheim could be the #2 on a real contender and is one of only a few guys that could land us a true 1C prospect.
ifollowcharlieo
One of the most obviously awful contracts in Flyers history. And, now it’s a bargain.
Torts is a horrible human, but Sanheim owes a lot to him. Who says he is the defenseman he has become because of Torts? Sanheim—he came right out and said it.
Great analysis, Charlie. You’re my favorite Flyers beat writer for several reasons, but the math is the #1 reason.
Randy
We can agree to disagree, Dear Charles (as Kelly might say), but Sanheim, in the past, was well deserving of this: “this guy used to be a whipping boy.” Early on in his career, he was often a hot mess on the ice, bad flubs with the puck and regualrly beat to the outside–left looking like a new-born giraffe on no-yet-strong enough spindles for legs.
The almost trade was the best thing that happened to him & the Flyers as contract holders. He seemed pretty much destined to remain underdeveloped, physically and in terms of talent, until what turned out to be a major wake up call.
Now, as you detail herein, he looks damned good on the regular.
William Amick
What Charlie, Kyle, Derek and Les do for PHLY has got to be what keeps the lights on for this website. Their commitment to their craft (data immersion and for Les, his columns) is impressive.
David LaVeck
Great feature on Sanheim! After reading this article, it would be hard to argue against Travis being a “borderline top-20 defenseman.” Sanheim is so consistent with high end minutes night in and night out. His scoring touch is streaky much like his namesake TK. He is a great 2D and if the team could ever get a 1D he could only then reach finally his ceiling.