Who has his linemates been the majority of the time? Seems he has played with good players a lot of time. So he has given him players to work with. Frost just hasn’t produced just like Couturier.

Which no one talks about at all. He has been given a total pass.
- furio16

Coots is a veteran and has proven himself. Why would they bench him with the current center situation? He just is what he is at this point unfortunately. Frost has been given every chance to succeed, and he just hasn't taken the puck and skated with it. I really thought he would be a good match for Michkov's game, but that didn't pan out either. He should be playing, but folks saying that he has been jilted are just not seeing things clearly.

Gonna have to disagree here. Sanheim is indeed playing like a #1 defender. He is playing nearly 30 minutes a night on a battered defense and he is under consideration to be one of the defenders to play for Team Canada in the 4 Nation tourney. That doesn't mean that I think he IS a #1 defender cause he has to be consistent with it, but lately he has been playing to that level IMO.
- Phillywhiteout

He hasn't. He has been playing well and the minutes are really about the Flyers being short on defense. A true #1 NHL defenseman controls the ice and dictates play when he is on the ice. Shuts down plays and drives transition and offense. Sanheim although playing well, is not doing that. The 4 nation tourney is really about who wants to play and right now is just the Flyers propaganda machine. There is a long list of available Canadian defenseman that are significantly better players than Sanheim.

OH STOP IT already! If he keeps this level up, he is true 1D and that is amazing and sorely needed. Two years ago, Sanheim was a boy who could skate but do little else.
- jd250

This was him from '18-21:



He was also playing at a very high level back then. As MJL said, you were just weirdly biased against him.

Also "true 1D" is ridiculous. He's still just a #2-3 playing a ton of minutes out of necessity.

The only somewhat comparable I can think of in a possible Jiricek trade is Chris Pronger. After the ''95 season Pronger was traded to St. Louis from Hartford for Brendan Shanahan. Shanahan was an established NHL forward coming off back to back 50 goal seasons. In his first 2 pro seasons, Pronger had a combined 44 points and -15.

So if Jiricek does get traded, he is only going for a haul. If a GM believes Jiricek will be elite, the compensation will be significantly higher then ANA paid for Gauthier. Going to take a lot of courage for a GM to put together a package for Jiricek. And yes, I do think Jiricek gets traded.

The only somewhat comparable I can think of in a possible Jiricek trade is Chris Pronger. After the ''95 season Pronger was traded to St. Louis from Hartford for Brendan Shanahan. Shanahan was an established NHL forward coming off back to back 50 goal seasons. In his first 2 pro seasons, Pronger had a combined 44 points and -15.

So if Jiricek does get traded, he is only going for a haul. If a GM believes Jiricek will be elite, the compensation will be significantly higher then ANA paid for Gauthier. Going to take a lot of courage for a GM to put together a package for Jiricek.
- Trox88

Tippett and Drysdale for Sillinger and Jiricek 🙏

Tippett and Drysdale for Sillinger and Jiricek 🙏
- Tomahawk

I am curious to see how many of Jarko's picks Waddell is willing to deal. Briere and Waddell have worked on trades before (DeAngelo buyout and subsequent trade of Rizzo). If this the framework, I'm fine with it. Rumor was Waddell was trying to trade for Necas. Tippett could be that scoring winger.

He was also playing at a very high level back then. As MJL said, you were just weirdly biased against him.

Also "true 1D" is ridiculous. He's still just a #2-3 playing a ton of minutes out of necessity.
- Tomahawk

It's the same weird bias that leads to statements that Ristolainen is the Flyers best defenseman and one of the best in the league and that Charlie McAvoy is overrated and not a top defenseman in the league.

He hasn't. He has been playing well and the minutes are really about the Flyers being short on defense. A true #1 NHL defenseman controls the ice and dictates play when he is on the ice. Shuts down plays and drives transition and offense. Sanheim although playing well, is not doing that. The 4 nation tourney is really about who wants to play and right now is just the Flyers propaganda machine. There is a long list of available Canadian defenseman that are significantly better players than Sanheim.
- MJL

Really? I was watching NHL Network (Mike Johnson and Mike Rupp) last night and he was listed among the top 8 favorites to make the team. They had the others listed (Makar...McAvoy...etc) and this has nothing to do with Flyers propaganda.

https://x.com/mark_scheig...JlPxmv9rpA2oJYscp8JA&s=19

Read the Waddell statement on Jiricek being sent back to the AHL. I'm speculating, but it sure seems like the "For Sale" is hanging. Waddell did not giving a ringing endorsement on Jiricek being part of the future. Last sentence of statement "Let him go play games in Cleveland, and we'll see how it goes". Ouch.

Really? I was watching NHL Network (Mike Johnson and Mike Rupp) last night and he was listed among the top 8 favorites to make the team. They had the others listed (Makar...McAvoy...etc) and this has nothing to do with Flyers propaganda.
- Phillywhiteout

Do you think that Sanheim is one of the top 8 Canadian defenseman in the league?

Surely they didn't have McAvoy listed. He's American

Do you think that Sanheim is one of the top 8 Canadian defenseman in the league?

Surely they didn't have McAvoy listed. He's American
- MJL

They must have also showed potential American defensemen as well and I became confused. Whoops! I wasn't really paying attention other than the fact that Sanheim was mentioned as being in the possible 8 defensemen that would make the team (he would make it as either a 3rd pairing defender or extra defender). With the way that he is currently playing, I feel that he certainly deserves consideration as being in the top 8 Canadian defenders. Overall, no.

https://x.com/mark_scheig/status/1859274378678054923?t=0oJlPxmv9rpA2oJYscp8JA&s=19

Read the Waddell statement on Jiricek being sent back to the AHL. I'm speculating, but it sure seems like the "For Sale" is hanging. Waddell did not giving a ringing endorsement on Jiricek being part of the future. Last sentence of statement "Let him go play games in Cleveland, and we'll see how it goes". Ouch.
- Trox88

I wonder why they are so sour on this guy? Yeah, he's only 20, but they don't seem impressed and it's not like Columbus is oozing defensive talent.

They must have also showed potential American defensemen as well and I became confused. Whoops! I wasn't really paying attention other than the fact that Sanheim was mentioned as being in the possible 8 defensemen that would make the team (he would make it as either a 3rd pairing defender or extra defender). With the way that he is currently playing, I feel that he certainly deserves consideration as being in the top 8 Canadian defenders. Overall, no.
- Phillywhiteout

It seems as though the way he is playing is being overblown by a few. Victims of the propaganda. I'm a Sanheim fan and have been a supporter of him as a player. However, he is not playing close to a #1 defenseman level. He doesn't have that ability.

I wonder why they are so sour on this guy? Yeah, he's only 20, but they don't seem impressed and it's not like Columbus is oozing defensive talent.
- Phillywhiteout

I believe there are multiple factors at play. First, Jiricek was a Jarko pick. Pretty obvious Waddell does not view him as having top pairing potential. Jiricek has already played plenty in the AHL and in his last year of his ELC. Similiarly, Broberg got offersheeted last summer. Broberg got 2 years @ 4.58 million/yr. That cap hit was the maximum number to only surrender a 2nd rd pick once EDM refused to match. So CLB being a smaller revenue team would not want to lose Jiricek for a 2nd rd pick. They certainly would not pay anywhere close to that cap hit who they don't believe is even an NHL regular. Better to move him before free agency to get value. For Jiricek, he is no loyalty to CLB and probably wants out badly. Mutual divorce seems imminent.

Edit: Jiricek will be a RFA after next season- according to Puckpedia. Spotrac has him as an RFA this season

It seems as though the way he is playing is being overblown by a few. Victims of the propaganda. I'm a Sanheim fan and have been a supporter of him as a player. However, he is not playing close to a #1 defenseman level. He doesn't have that ability.
- MJL

These guys have no connection to the Flyers and they were talking him up. Even Steve Kouleas was talking him up the other day on Sirius/XM NHL Network and he is a Flyers hater. Again, I disagree. He has been controlling the play. He is getting up in the play often and at least was leading the league in goals by defenders. He has been playing at a level that would suffice to be mentioned as a #1 defender. I'm actually not a fan of Sanheim, but I can't argue with the way that he has been playing lately.

These guys have no connection to the Flyers and they were talking him up. Even Steve Kouleas was talking him up the other day on Sirius/XM NHL Network and he is a Flyers hater. Again, I disagree. He has been controlling the play. He is getting up in the play often and at least was leading the league in goals by defenders. He has been playing at a level that would suffice to be mentioned as a #1 defender. I'm actually not a fan of Sanheim, but I can't argue with the way that he has been playing lately.
- Phillywhiteout

Sanheim is playing well and has taken a step but there is no evidence that even remotely suggests that he is a #1 NHL defenseman. That's just fact. He hasn't come close to actually controlling play when he is on the ice. Not by any measure.

Sanheim is playing well and has taken a step but there is no evidence that even remotely suggests that he is a #1 NHL defenseman. That's just fact. He hasn't come close to actually controlling play when he is on the ice. Not by any measure.
- MJL

Changing the narrative again? I didn't say that he WAS an NHL defenseman. I said that he is currently playing like one. By fact, I'm assuming that you are referring to your next Gen stats? I watch the games and he is getting up on the play and generating lots of scoring chances for himself along with his linemates, and he is not shirking his defensive responsibilities.

Changing the narrative again? I didn't say that he WAS an NHL defenseman. I said that he is currently playing like one. By fact, I'm assuming that you are referring to your next Gen stats? I watch the games and he is getting up on the play and generating lots of scoring chances for himself along with his linemates, and he is not shirking his defensive responsibilities.
- Phillywhiteout

Being aggressive offensively doesn't make a player a #1 NHL defenseman or playing like one. Whatever narrative you want to use. He is neither playing like one, nor is he one. He's playing very well but he doesn't have that ability. Doesn't mean he's not a good player. It's an easy comparison to make of Sanheim to players we know are legit #1 defenseman and see the difference in the facts.

Being aggressive offensively doesn't make a player a #1 NHL defenseman or playing like one. Whatever narrative you want to use. He is neither playing like one, nor is he one. He's playing very well but he doesn't have that ability. Doesn't mean he's not a good player. It's an easy comparison to make of Sanheim to players we know are legit #1 defenseman and see the difference in the facts.
- MJL

I forgot the #1 part. I'm laboring. Well, the list comes out on December 4th to see who makes their respective teams for the four Nation tournament and we shall see if he makes it. Canada is very deep at the forward position, but not as deep at the defensive position. If he makes that team I would think that would cement the fact that he has indeed been playing like a #1 defender as of late. He's all over the ice. Getting up on the play and getting back into the play on the defensive end. He is also playing 30 minutes a game which is actually more than most #1 defenders play. Yes, I know that it is due to injuries, but facts are facts.

Do you think that Sanheim is one of the top 8 Canadian defenseman in the league?

Surely they didn't have McAvoy listed. He's American
- MJL

Sanheim is certainly the best Canadian D man on the flyers. Not very hard since i believe Drysdale is the only other Canadian. And Ellis is gone for good on LTIR.

Really? I was watching NHL Network (Mike Johnson and Mike Rupp) last night and he was listed among the top 8 favorites to make the team. They had the others listed (Makar...McAvoy...etc) and this has nothing to do with Flyers propaganda.
- Phillywhiteout

They also said there were many more than those 8 listed on the screen.

They also said there were many more than those 8 listed on the screen.
- MBFlyerfan

I think Sanheim is a name on the list of possible defensemen for Team Canada. If that means he is being "considered" than so be it. I personally do not think he is/will be seriously considered to make the team.

Sanheim has played very well this season. Good for him.

I think Sanheim is a name on the list of possible defensemen for Team Canada. If that means he is being "considered" than so be it. I personally do not think he is/will be seriously considered to make the team.

Sanheim has played very well this season. Good for him.
- mickel25

Agree on all points. And it is a good sign he is in the conversation. Last year we would have never even thought about it. Regardless of whether he is a #1 (he is OUR #1) or not, his game has taken a step up. Except for a few hiccups he has been a very solid dman throughout his career.

They also said there were many more than those 8 listed on the screen.
- MBFlyerfan

I didn't hear that part, or I just chose to hear what I wanted to. Regardless, the fact that he is even being considered is a minor miracle. I would have traded him to be honest, but he has shown remarkable improvement over the past year or two. At least something positive to discuss for a change. Does Torts get any credit or is he succeeding despite Torts? It's snowing here! Yay!

Agree on all points. And it is a good sign he is in the conversation. Last year we would have never even thought about it. Regardless of whether he is a #1 (he is OUR #1) or not, his game has taken a step up. Except for a few hiccups he has been a very solid dman throughout his career.
- MBFlyerfan

He has been solid and has steadily grown. He is this team's #1 and no knock against Sanheim but that's a reason why this team isn't very good. He's realistically a 2/3 and a very good player in that slot.