The Toronto Maple Leafs have loaned their best young defensive prospect Rasmus Sandin to represent Sweden at the World Juniors, and all Leafs fans should be excited about it.
Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Rasmus Sandin is just 19 years old and has already shown glimpses of the confidence and skill that it takes to be an NHL ready defenseman.
His evasiveness and patience add to his great puck protection and zone breakout abilities, and he has been able to translate these skills at an NHL level. At 5’11 Sandin is also surprisingly physical, which will add to the list of things that will make him great heading into this tournament.
Watching Sandin being put into a role against the top forwards in his age group will be insanely fun to watch. Not only is he more experienced at a higher level of competition, but Sandin will have the confidence to display his offensive, puck possession-based style of play he is capable of.
Toronto Maple Leafs Top Prospect
In his brief stint with the Toronto Maple Leafs, the 2018 first rounder caught the eyes of fans with two assists through his six games, and he showed that there is a lot to be excited about for the future.
It is also worth noting that Sandin played for Sweden in last year’s World Junior Hockey Championship, netting two goals and two assists through five games.
When he returns to the AHL, he will resume his 50-point-pace as one of the Marlies best defenceman and occupy big minutes to develop and complete his game.
Bringing Sandin to the Leafs roster as a regular at this point would only do harm. Yes, we all know he is ready to play, but why rush it?
This guy seems to be the real deal and I would hate to see yet another defensive prospect be rushed into the NHL to only become mediocre. Sandin has played a year in the AHL and has done very well, but there will most likely be a spot waiting for him next season and he should take full advantage of that opportunity when it is presented.
Who does this affect the most?
The Toronto Marlies.
With Tyson Barrie’s injury being longer than expected, it was announced earlier today that the Maple Leafs recalled Martin Marincin and Timothy Liljegren, which leaves some pretty big holes in the Marlies defence with the departure of Sandin on top of that.
The Marlies currently sit seventh overall in the AHL and in the absence of their top two defenceman they will be put to the test on the back end in the midst of a three game losing streak.
Sandin could possibly be the defenceman that Leafs fans have been begging for. Not only does he have an offensive upside, but Sandin is not afraid to use his body and will probably be a great NHL player because of it.