Flyers' Sanheim addresses offseason trade speculation: 'It sucks'

Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Travis Sanheim was aware of his involvement in trade rumors this past offseason - and he wasn't a fan.

"It sucks," Sanheim said, per Flyers Nitty Gritty's Jamey Baskow. "There is a reason I signed here for eight years. I want to be here in Philadelphia."

Sanheim was reportedly supposed to be involved in the trade that sent Kevin Hayes from the Flyers to the St. Louis Blues, but the deal fell apart after Torey Krug refused to waive his no-trade clause to go to Philadelphia. Hayes was eventually shipped to the Blues for a sixth-round pick.

But Sanheim said he had good conversations with president of hockey operations Keith Jones and head coach John Tortorella and is willing to put the past behind him.

"There were no hard feelings on either side," Sanheim said.

Sanheim enters the first season of an eight-year, $50-million extension, which was signed by former general manager Chuck Fletcher in October 2022. Daniel Briere is the club's new GM.

The 27-year-old blue-liner tallied seven goals and 16 assists while averaging 20:24 per game in 81 contests last season. With the departures of both Ivan Provorov and Tony DeAngelo - Philly's two minutes leaders in 2022-23 - Sanheim is projected to take on an expanded role this campaign.