There have been a lot of things Sanheim has had to overcome, including being left out of the Flyers’ only visit to Calgary, where he played junior hockey, and his name popping up in off-season trade rumors.
“Like everyone else, I explained to him that my duty was to listen to offers or trade negotiations if it would improve the team in the future,” Philadelphia general manager Daniel Briere said. “That’s what I have to do. I’ve had discussions with different players from different teams. I don’t know why only his name came up. … For his part, he admitted that he didn’t didn’t play the best hockey he could have played last year. Now he’s a completely different player we have.”
All of this gave the 27-year-old a lot of motivation.
“I think with the different things that happened, I think it was pretty easy to come in and not really have any pressure or worry about certain things and just go out and play,” said Sanheim said. “That was kind of the biggest thing for me. You’re a really good hockey player, go out and do what you do best.”
The best example of Sanheim’s mental growth might have come in the first period of a 3-1 loss to the New York Rangers on Friday, when he fed the puck to the Rangers forward. Chris Kreider in the slot, leading to New York’s second goal.
“You see him after that play? I watched him,” Tortorella said. “I didn’t say a word, but I looked and I knew he would be fine. All he did was skate to the bench. He knew it was a huge mistake and he prepared for his next shift. “There was no change in body language, there was no change in his attitude. Whatever he did in terms of training this summer, he gained a little weight (6-foot-4, 222 pounds), but he worked on “his mind. For me, he changed the way he considers himself and what he can be as a player. And that’s so powerful.”
Sanheim also said he had better relationships in his second season playing for Tortorella.
“I think we understand each other better and I think that’s helped a lot this season,” he said. “I think we’ve been able to work well together, and he can trust that I’m going to get the job done. … Same thing when I make these mistakes, he can trust that I’m going to get the job done. good minutes after that, what he wanted to see more of last season, and I think I did a good job answering that.
Sanheim’s teammates have certainly noticed the improvement in his on-ice play and approach.
“Every player is going through a season probably like (2022-23),” striker Travis Konecny said. “For him, I think it was more that he just needed a little bit of confidence and some kind of belief, that someone believes in what he’s doing. I think this summer.. .everyone keeps talking about his summer, but he wanted to prove to himself and prove to “Torts” and everyone who maybe doubted him that he was going to come in and show his worth on the team. “I’m not surprised at what he’s done so far. Maybe you are, but we all knew he had it in him.”
