After weeks of rumours circulating Travis Sanheim, whether it was trade rumours or rumours pertaining to a contract extension, the Philadelphia Flyers have just announced that they have extended the defenseman to an 8-year deal with a reported AAV of $6.25 million.
Earlier today, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman tweeted that the Flyers and Sanheim were making progress on a long-term extension and to expect the deal to be in the $6 million range.
It had been widely reported that both sides wanted to iron out a deal before the season started and fortunately for both sides, they got the deal done with 90 minutes left before puck drop.
Sanheim, who was drafted in the first round of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, is entering his 6th season with the Orange and Black, having suited up 335 times with 29 goals and 116 points. He has shown flashes of his offensive capabilities in the past with a career-high 9 goals and 35 points in 2018-19, but this extension was more due to the fact that he had an incredible second-half last year after the dismissal of Alain Vigneault.
On the season, he scored 7 goals and 31 points in 80 games but only had 3 assists in his first 22 games with Vigneault at the helm. Interim head coach Mike Yeo got the best of the former first round draft pick as he scored at nearly a 0.50 point per game pace, which would’ve shattered his previous career highs. He was named the winner of the Barry Ashbee Trophy as the team’s best defenseman and he truly played with a lot more confidence, which in turn gave the front office a lot of confidence moving forward.
President of Hockey Operations and General Manager, Chuck Fletcher announced the deal and said, “We’re extremely happy to have Travis under long-term contract and see him as a key piece of our team’s future. Travis has improved each season to become a highly reliable player and key contributor on our blue-line. Furthermore, he is someone who has developed his entire career with us and has grown into a valuable leader for our team.”
Sanheim commented as well and said, “Obviously, I’m really excited. It’s a huge day not only for me, but for my family and friends as well. To be drafted not only by Philly, but in Philly, and now to sign a long term deal here, it means a lot. I love this city, love the fan base and I’m excited to turn this around and get things going. There’s no better place to win than Philly.”
After this season is completed, the Flyers defense will have Sanheim locked up for 8 more years, Rasmus Ristolainen for 4 more years at $5.1 million, Tony DeAngelo for another season at 5 million, Ivan Provorov for 2 more years at $6.75 million, and Ryan Ellis for 4 more years for $6.25 million. Sanheim had a very big season last year and it was clearly at the right time.
Getting a deal done today means the Flyers are banking that he continues his fine play into this season and beyond. Seemingly, a comparable that the Flyers used for this deal was MacKenzie Weegar from the Calgary Flames, who signed a few days ago at the exact same rate.
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