The Leafs May Have Dodged a Bullet by Trading Rasmus Sandin

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.