Toronto Maple Leafs: Prospects at the World Juniors

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TORONTO, ON – SEPTEMBER 24: Toronto Maple Leafs Defenceman Rasmus Sandin (78) skates with the puck during the NHL preseason game between the Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs on September 24, 2018, at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON, Canada. (Photo by Julian Avram/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

SWEDEN

Rasmus Sandin

Picked in the first round of this past draft, 29th overall, the Leafs seem to have found a jewel deep in the first round.

Sandin was probably the most highly touted Toronto Maple Leafs prospect headed to the World Juniors, given the fact that he’s a first round pick and that he’s been playing in the AHL this year, so fans have been able to play close attention to his game.

After a great start in the AHL with 10 points in 18 games, Sandin represented Sweden and put up four points in five games, finishing in a three-way tie with Chicago Blackhawks prospect Adam Boqvist and Vegas Golden Knights prospect Erik Brannstrom for the team lead in points by a defenseman.

Sandin is proving day in and day out why he’s a valuable prospect for the Toronto Maple Leafs and will most certainly put on the blue and white in the future.

Some have even said that he’s NHL read right now, as crazy as that sounds for a late first round pick from this past summer. Though it’s highly unlikely we’ll see him in Toronto this year, it’s possible that Sandin has surpassed Timothy Liljegren as the Leafs top prospect.

The Leafs blue line of the future – Morgan Rielly, Travis Dermott, Sean Durzi, Rasmus Sandin and Timothy Liljegren – looks very exciting.

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