Travis Sanheim

The Flyers' poor play likely had a hand in Sanheim dropping from 31 points in 2021-22 to 24 points in 2022-23. Still, a minus-5 rating on that team is impressive for a top-four blueliner. He's got the trust of head coach John Tortorella, and Sanheim's a defenseman who can approach 30 points while blocking 130-plus shots per year. He's also enjoyed impressive health for a player with his usage, missing just four games over his five seasons as an NHL regular. Sanheim won't add a ton of scoring pop, but he's steady and solid enough to be a depth option in fantasy formats that count blocks. If you play in such a league, don't forget about Sanheim in the later rounds of your fantasy draft.

In a year in which the stock of virtually all of his teammates cratered, Sanheim was one of the few Flyers to put forth a credible effort in 2021-22. He cracked the 30-point plateau (31) for the second time of his career while averaging a career-best 22:58 worth of playing time per game. Sanheim added new high-water marks in hits (64) and blocks (142) for good measure. There's little reason to be excited about Sanheim from a fantasy perspective on what projects to be another poor Philadelphia club, but he should be locked into a top-four role with the team in 2022-23.

The Flyers as a team cratered in the second half of the 2020-21 season and Sanheim was at the forefront of the collapse. The 25-year-old finished the year with a horrific minus-22 rating, including a minus-six performance in a mid-March game against the Rangers which ended in a 9-0 defeat. Sanheim is a big (6-foot-3) rangy kid with some offensive talent, but his exposure to an expanded role (21:53 per game) didn't go well last year and that was part of the reason Philadelphia went out and acquired Ryan Ellis, Rasmus Ristolainen and Keith Yandle this offseason. Sanheim will return to the Flyers in 2021-22 in a depth role, but he'll need to improve his play in order to stay out of the press box.

Sanheim is locked in as a top-four blueliner for the Flyers. He had 25 points in 69 appearances last year, while adding 41 hits and 79 blocked shots. Sanheim typically sees a little power-play usage, which gives him a safe floor for scoring purposes, but it's his steady two-way play that will keep him in the good graces of head coach Alain Vigneault. Look for Sanheim to end up between 20 and 25 points during the 2020-21 campaign, and he'll likely also provide value in blocked shots and shots on goal, making him a solid depth option in fantasy.

Sanheim played extremely well during his first full NHL campaign in 2018-19, posting nine goals, 35 points, a minus-4 rating, 121 shots on net and 22 PIM in 82 games. He was particularly productive late in the season, racking up five goals and 20 points in the final 34 games after the All-Star break. The next step for the 2014 first-round pick's development will likely involve an increase in ice time, and it wouldn't be surprising to see that happen in 2019-20, particularly if he's given a larger role on the power play. The Flyers' man advantage was below average last season, and the team's primary power-play quarterback, Shayne Gostisbehere, really struggled. That could give the Sanheim an opportunity to carve out a bigger special-teams role this year. Either way, the 6-foot-3 blueliner's stock is on the rise, particularly in leagues that count blocked shots -- the 23-year-old totaled 133 of those last season.

Sanheim scored two goals and 10 points in 49 NHL games last year. He added a goal in four playoff games, but he's only begun to scratch the surface of his offensive ability. During 2016-17, Sanheim scored 10 goals and 37 points in 76 AHL games. He's probably a better option in dynasty formats than redraft leagues, but Sanheim could prove to be useful this season if he can carve out a consistent role at the NHL level. He'll get his shot in training camp to prove he's worth the extra playing time.

Sanheim is a special two-way talent as the 2014 first-round (17th overall) draft pick by the Flyers. Last season, skating for AHL Lehigh Valley, the smooth-skating defenseman registered 10 goals and 27 helpers over 76 games. There's speculation that he could crack the Opening Night roster with the Flyers for the 2017-18 campaign, so consider taking a flier on him in the latter rounds of fantasy drafts.

The Flyers' first-round pick in 2014, Sanheim was a monster on the blue line with the WHL Calgary last year, putting up 15 goals and 65 points in 67 regular-season games before adding 18 points in 17 playoff games. The puck-moving defenseman is a two-way stud who can dominate at both ends of the ice. While it’s possible Sanheim joins the Flyers in 2015-16, fellow defensive prospects Ivan Provorov and Shayne Gostisbehere might be more NHL-ready. The 19-year-old Sanheim has a bright future in Philadelphia, but it might be a few more years before he debuts full-time and becomes an impact fantasy player. Still, the youngster is an extremely smooth skater and a future power-play fixture, making him a strong asset in long-term keeper formats.

The Flyers first-round pick from 2014, Sanheim has shown exceptional talent in his first year in the WHL. But as an 18-year old, both his game and his body have a lot of maturing to undergo. It is most likely that he will not see the NHL for another two or three years yet and will start this season with the Calgary Hitmen.