The Philadelphia Flyers have been extremely busy to start the summer and after trading for Justin Braun and Matt Niskanen, Chuck Fletcher changed his priorities to the draft and the restricted free agents. It didn’t take long before the first RFA got extended because the Flyers just announced that Travis Sanheim has signed a two-year deal with a $3.25M AAV. Chuck Fletcher said this in a press release:
”We are very pleased with the progress Travis has made in his young career,” said Fletcher.”He is a skilled, two-way defenseman with excellent size and mobility. He is a big part of our present and our future.”
Travis Sanheim said in the same press release:
”I’m obviously really excited. It’s a big step in my career. I’m looking forward to another two years with the Flyers. I’m really excited with the way the team’s moving forward and the moves we’ve made this summer.”
It was when Rick Wilson joined the team mid-season as an assistant coach to coach the defense that Sanheim took a big step forward in his development. Sanheim scored 9 goals and 26 assists in 82 games this year and this is only the beginning to a promising career.
It’s great news that the Flyers announced the first RFA signing this quick into the summer. I personally would have wanted them to go long-term on a Sanheim deal but I understand why the Sanheim camp wanted a bridge deal. Sanheim is betting on himself to keep improving and maybe even becoming a number one defenseman within these two years and then cash in on an even bigger payday. This gives the Flyers some more flexibility when it comes to the cap situation this year and that’s something they might need, especially after the Braun and Niskanen trades but also if they want to add that third line winger they desperately need. Great deal for Sanheim and a great deal for the Flyers.
