The Toronto Maple Leafs are open for business ahead of the April 12 NHL trade deadline.
The Toronto Maple Leafs drafted Rasmus Sandin 28th overall in 2018. Although Sandin is one of the Leafs top two prospects, he currently finds himself on the outside looking in on a roster trying to assert itself among the NHL’s elite.
The Leafs are on the verge of being one of the NHL’s best teams, if they aren’t already and even called a press conference to announce they were going to be aggressive in improving there team.
Therefore, Rasmus Sandin is absolutely in danger of being traded.
Toronto Maple Leafs and the NHL Trade Deadline
The Leafs have everything they need right now on the roster to make a deep playoff run. Jack Campbell emerging absolutely helps with that, so where does a cheap, 20-year-old defenseman fall? Well, this 20-year-old is currently not on the roster in any capacity, so it begs the question as how expendable is he when acquiring pieces for this season. Sandin will be an RFA after next season, which gives whatever team that trades for him a defenseman with upside under their control for at least a few seasons.
If parting with Sandin means the Leafs can get a Taylor Hall (pipe dream I know) I’m all for it. Hall could make this Leafs offense all the more unstoppable, and with a date with Tampa seeming inevitable for a trip to the Finals, another weapon could be needed. This is a team that has still hasn’t won a playoff series since 2004 and has been sent home early multiple times with the current core they have assembled. Drastic measures could be required.
Sandin has played one game for the Toronto Maple Leafs all season and is currently out with an injury that he sustained in a Marlies game and has not skated since February 16th. His health might be an issue while attempting to trade him for a piece that actually moves the needle for the Leafs.
Despite his lack of appearances this season, I do still like Sandin’s upside, and I think if they do keep him around it will still work out. I don’t think he should absolutely be traded, I simply think he should be on the trading block because he is one of the Leafs best assets.
Whatever Kyle Dubas has planned, I have the utmost faith in his vision of this roster.