The Leafs May Have Dodged a Bullet by Trading Rasmus Sandin

During his time in Toronto, Rasmus Sandin was often given minimal playing time and was considered the seventh defenseman on the team during playoff runs. However, after a trade to the Washington Capitals just before the March 3rd trade deadline, Sandin was suddenly thrust into a top pairing role. The results have been mixed, with impressive offensive production but noticeable defensive shortcomings.

Offensive Darling, Defensive Nightmare?

Sandin has accumulated an impressive 11 points in just 8 games with the Caps, showcasing his abilities as a promising young offensive defenseman. However, defensively he has struggled, evidenced by his -11 +/- rating during his time in Washington. NHL.com's Tom Gulitti notes that Sandin has been on the ice for 13 of the 16 goals the Capitals have allowed at even-strength in their last 4 games, a concerning statistic that suggests he may be a significant factor in the team's defensive struggles.



While it's important to remember that hockey is a team game and one player cannot be solely responsible for a team's shortcomings on defense, Sandin's consistently negative impact on the ice raises concerns about his overall abilities. Despite criticism of the Sandin trade when it occurred, it appears that Toronto's Kyle Dubas may have made a smart decision in recouping valuable assets for a player who may not be as well-rounded as initially thought.