The Toronto Maple Leafs are set to begin their play in series against the Columbus Blue Jackets in less than three weeks, so who should start and who should sit?
In less than three weeks the NHL is back and the Toronto Maple Leafs will take on the Columbus Blue Jackets in a best of 5 series.
There is always questions circulating around the Toronto Maple Leafs defense group, and my question about this defense group is… should Cody Ceci start over Rasmus Sandin in the play in series and beyond?
Im going to start by saying yes he should and no he shouldn’t, if that makes sense. Let me tell you why.
Cody Ceci Starting Over Rasmus Sandin?
Ceci: 2019-20 stats 56 GP 1 G / 8 PTS / 50.22 CF%
So the big question is, should Cody Ceci start over rookie defensemen Rasmus Sandin?
Like I said I say yes, and I say no. What I mean by that is Cody Ceci has played over Rasmus Sandin all season long ( besides when there were injures to the team Sandin was slotted in the lineup too). So why take Ceci out of the lineup now?
Cody Ceci might not be the greatest player, especially at 5v5, but he chews up a lot of minutes on the Toronto Maple Leafs penalty kill and does a pretty decent job at it.
So taking a guy out who chews up the most minutes on the penalty kill for a guy who won’t play either special team (power play & penalty kill) wouldn’t be the greatest decision in my opinion. (Stats from NHL.com).
Rasmus Sandin Starting Over Cody Ceci?
Sandin: 2019-20 stats – 28 GP – 1 G – 7 A – 8 PTS – 54.33% CF%
Now I also think that Rasmus Sandin should start over Cody Ceci because I believe Sandin is the better 5v5 player but given Sandin wont be playing any special teams is kind of concerning if you take Ceci out the lineup.
Sandin did play on the second power play unit but that was when Morgan Rielly was out with an injury for a couple months, so having Rielly back gives the team Morgan Rielly and Tyson Barrie on each power play unit.
On the penalty kill side of things the usual penalty killers are Justin Holl, Cody Ceci, Jake Muzzin, and Travis Dermott, Sandin hasn’t and probably wont play on the penalty kill if he is replacing Cody Ceci. (Stats from NHL.com)
Roll With 7 Defensemen?
Another thing I think the Toronto Maple Leafs could possibly do is roll with seven defensemen instead of six.
This means they can put Cody Ceci in the lineup to play minimal 5v5 minutes but also be a key piece for the penatly kill, and having Rasmus Sandin in the lineup to playing decent 5v5 minutes with no special teams.
Obviously with dressing seven defensemen they are going to have to sit one forward and that is totally an option as well. Question is, who would they sit? Frederik Gauthier comes to mind right away because I don’t see them sitting one of Pierre Engvall, Kyle Clifford, or Jason Spezza.
All in all , I think they should stick with Cody Ceci in the lineup, the only way I would want Rasmus Sandin in the lineup is if the team rolls with seven defensemen.
Who do you think the Toronto Maple Leafs should dress for the play in series and beyond? Ceci or Sandin? Or both and roll with seven defensemen as an option like I said?