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

The definition of a #1 defenseman for fans has taken on that of a mythical beast where only like 5 guys in the entire league would actually qualify.

Zone starts:
Heiskanen 64.3 offensive 35.7 defensive
Q. Hughes 69.2 off 30.8 def
Roman Josi 71.7 o 28.3 d
Cale Makar 66.5 o 33.5 d
Adam Fox 62.2 o 37.8 d

Travis Sanheim 38.8 offensive 61.2 defensive

He’s 3rd in the league for average ice time and 21st in the league for points for defensemen without powerplay time.

The definition of a #1 defenseman for fans has taken on that of a mythical beast where only like 5 guys in the entire league would actually qualify.
- psuhockey

I don't think that is accurate at all. What do you want the definition to be? The best defenseman on the team is a #1 defenseman? You have be able to dictate play. To shut down top lines and top players and quickly end offensive attacks and transition the other way. You have to tilt the ice consistently in your teams favor. Have to join the offense and put up considerable points. Sanheim just doesn't qualify in all factors. Doesn't mean he's not a pretty good player. He's just not a #1.

I don't think that is accurate at all. What do you want the definition to be? The best defenseman on the team is a #1 defenseman? You have be able to dictate play. To shut down top lines and top players and quickly end offensive attacks and transition the other way. You have to tilt the ice consistently in your teams favor. Have to join the offense and put up considerable points. Sanheim just doesn't qualify in all factors. Doesn't mean he's not a pretty good player. He's just not a #1.
- MJL

The modern game isn’t played like that. It’s matchup based. The guys who put up the points don’t play against the other teams top lines like I illustrated above. They are put in offensive situations. Teams use other pairs to shut down the other teams top lines. There are only a handful of guys like Hedman that do both.

Sanheim should be on the PP. What's Tort's reason for him not being on it? He's Cleary our best Dman and has some offensive skill.

Sanheim should be on the PP. What's Tort's reason for him not being on it? He's Cleary our best Dman and has some offensive skill.
- Briere

He’s not good at it

The modern game isn’t played like that. It’s matchup based. The guys who put up the points don’t play against the other teams top lines like I illustrated above. They are put in offensive situations. Teams use other pairs to shut down the other teams top lines. There are only a handful of guys like Hedman that do both.
- psuhockey

That's incorrect and not accurate. #1 defenseman on team's play the most minutes. What line plays the most minutes for the opposition? The team's top line. They are often matched up head to head against top lines. Zone starts make up a relatively small percentage of a players shifts. About 80% of a players 5 on 5 shifts are on the fly starts without about 20% being zone starts. Give or take a few. #1 defenseman are put in all situations. The reason why Sanheim's defensive zone starts are high is because the Flyers defense is weak and they don't generate enough offensive zone faceoffs. The Flyers rank 23rd in the league in offensive zone draws taken with 380. In comparison, The Canes have the most with 465. They have taken the 10th most defensive zone draws in the league as a team. With that being the case and your team takes more defensive draws that offensive due to not being able to dictate play and you want to have a defenseman such as Sanheim play as much as he does. Well then the zone start percentages are going to look like that. It's also a function of poor coaching

Sanheim should be on the PP. What's Tort's reason for him not being on it? He's Cleary our best Dman and has some offensive skill.
- Briere

Clarke said he hasnt earned it yet

What do you think the Flyers receive in the upcoming Frost trade?

He’s not good at it
- Dkos

and the others are?

That's incorrect and not accurate. #1 defenseman on team's play the most minutes. What line plays the most minutes for the opposition? The team's top line. They are often matched up head to head against top lines. Zone starts make up a relatively small percentage of a players shifts. About 80% of a players 5 on 5 shifts are on the fly starts without about 20% being zone starts. Give or take a few. #1 defenseman are put in all situations.
- MJL

Coaches use on the fly changes to produce mismatches. Just watch the highlights in morning and you would see scorers eating up 2nd and 3rd defense pairs regularly. It’s nonsense if you think the top lines only play against the top defense pairs. You are right that zone starts are only a small percentage in game but just like all other metrics it’s a tool so see how defensemen are utilized. The actual number a team has is meaningless since it’s a percentage based stat. You also proving how outstanding Sanheim has played by pointing out what a crap show the rest of the team has played.

Sanheim is 3rd in league in ice and 4th in even strength points playing against the other teams top line with his best partner so far being Ristolainen. He’s playing like a good number one defenseman in this league. You may not like it but it’s true.

Coaches use on the fly changes to produce mismatches. Just watch the highlights in morning and you would see scorers eating up 2nd and 3rd defense pairs regularly. It’s nonsense if you think the top lines only play against the top defense pairs. You are right that zone starts are only a small percentage in game but just like all other metrics it’s a tool so see how defensemen are utilized. The actual number a team has is meaningless since it’s a percentage based stat. You also proving how outstanding Sanheim has played by pointing out what a crap show the rest of the team has played.
- psuhockey

Where anywhere in my post did I say that top lines only play against top defense pairs? No where. What I said is that top defenseman OFTEN play against top lines. The actual number is not meaningless simply because if you want to play a defenseman 28-30 minutes a game like they have Sanheim lately, well then there are only so many zone starts available and when your team takes more defensive than offensive. It's a factor. The premise is not about how well Sanheim has been playing. It's if he is a #1 NHL defenseman. In my opinion, he is not and the available facts support that opinion.

Where anywhere in my post did I say that top lines only play against top defense pairs? No where. What I said is that top defenseman OFTEN play against top lines. The actual number is not meaningless simply because if you want to play a defenseman 28-30 minutes a game like they have Sanheim lately, well then there are only so many zone starts available and when your team takes more defensive than offensive. It's a factor. The premise is not about how well Sanheim has been playing. It's if he is a #1 NHL defendeman. In my opinion, he is not and the available facts support that opinion.
- MJL

Where are these facts?

Where are these facts?
- psuhockey

Publicly available statistical data. Where did you get your zone start data?

Publicly available statistical data. Where did you get your zone start data?
- MJL

Hockey reference.

What stats are you citing to say he isn’t playing like a number 1 defenseman?

Hockey reference.

What stats are you citing to say he isn’t playing like a number 1 defenseman?
- psuhockey

When looking at a defenseman's play, what you're looking for is how well for his team he suppresses shots and scoring chances. How well he transitions play and drives offense and tilts the ice in his teams favor and scoring chances for as well as quality of chances for and against. As well as scoring rate and offensive production. So you'd be looking at CF%, xGF% GF/60 GA/60 GF% SCF/60 SCA/60 SCF% Same with high danger chances.

When looking at a defenseman's play, what you're looking for is how well for his team he suppresses shots and scoring chances. How well he transitions play and drives offense and tilts the ice in his teams favor and scoring chances for as well as quality of chances for and against. As well as scoring rate and offensive production. So you'd be looking at CF%, xGF% GF/60 GA/60 GF% SCF/60 SCA/60 SCF% Same with high danger chances.
- MJL

So you don’t have any?

So you don’t have any?
- psuhockey

Where are you getting that from?

Where are you getting that from?
- MJL

You haven’t posted any.

You haven’t posted any.
- psuhockey

Why do I have to post them? They're publicly available.

Why do I have to post them? They're publicly available.
- MJL

So it’s just your feelings that say Sanheim isn’t playing like a #1 defenseman. Not really much of an argument.

So it’s just your feelings that say Sanheim isn’t playing like a #1 defenseman. Not really much of an argument.
- psuhockey

You want to make it into something it's not for some reason. LOL. Misrepresenting my statements or injecting hyperbole. You could inform yourself and look at the publicly available data. I have made numerous posts on why I don't think he is a #1 defenseman. It is clearly not just feelings. It's an analysis based on sound hockey knowledge that is supported by the facts of the available statistical data. If you want to continue the conversation in that manner you posted here, I'm not interested.

Currently, Sanheim is the Flyers No.1 defenseman but not a true No.1 defenseman in the league.

You want to make it into something it's not for some reason. LOL. Misrepresenting my statements or injecting hyperbole. You could inform yourself and look at the publicly available data. I have made numerous posts on why I don't think he is a #1 defenseman. It is clearly not just feelings. It's an analysis based on sound hockey knowledge that is supported by the facts of the available statistical data. If you want to continue the conversation in that manner you posted here, I'm not interested.
- MJL

Your response when asked for statistics to back up your argument was “look it up” when I have already given facts to back up mine. That is how midwits respond on the internet in an attempt to shut down debate. I know this game and was giving you the benefit of the doubt which was apparently misplaced.

Your response when asked for statistics to back up your argument was “look it up” when I have already given facts to back up mine. That is how midwits respond on the internet in an attempt to shut down debate. I know this game and was giving you the benefit of the doubt which was apparently misplaced.
- psuhockey

Any stats one needs to come to an informed opinion are available here.

https://www.naturalstattrick.com/

First time I've ever been accused of shutting down debate.

What do you think the Flyers receive in the upcoming Frost trade?
- Pixote Andolini

I would guess less than we hope. At this point I’d be happy with another disgruntled or underachieving 1st round pick of a similar age who may need a change in scenery.