Toronto Maple Leafs Have a New Second Best Prospect

The Toronto Maple Leafs have a new second-best prospect.

While Nick Robertson remains the Toronto Maple Leafs best and most prized prospect, the team has a new number-two because Rasmus Sandin has arrived in the NHL and should no longer be considered a prospect.

Sandin has played in the Leafs last three games – four overall – after taking over for an injured Zach Bogosian.  While a lot of NHL fans still overrate the style of play that Bogosian plays, there is no denying that Sandin has been an absolutely massive upgrade over the veteran grinder.

At this point Rasmus Sandin is a lot closer to being Leafs best defenseman than their worst (an impressive feat on a team with three top-twenty blue-liners), and he shouldn’t sit while healthy for the next ten to fifteen years.

Toronto Maple Leafs #2 Prospect Has Arrived

By now, everyone reading this has seen the amazing hit Sandin threw on Saturday, and while his assist was a quality play, Nylander kind of stole the show on that one.

Either way, from teammates to the media, everyone is raving about Sandin.

And they should.  He’s steady, doesn’t panic, is a great passer, and he can be physical.  For a team to already be in first place and then to add a player like this is absolutely ridiculous. Of all the teams that added at the trade deadline, I’m not sure anyone added a player as good as Sandin.

The Question shouldn’t be “does Sandin play when Bogosian is healthy,’ it should be can either Muzzin or Sandin play the right side?  Because, as much I love Justin Holl, Sandin might best be utilized in the top four.

If the Leafs won’t drop Holl down in favor of Sandin, they’re going to have to sit a healthy Bogosian because Dermott and Sandin are both significantly better.  Dermott, in fact, is one of the most underrated players in the NHL – the guy is a defensive beast, at least in third pairing minutes.

It’s long been a mystery if Dermott can play higher up in the lineup, but few players can crush third-pairing minutes like he can. I think Holl over Bogosian is a no-brainer, but coaches tend to love veterans, and especially ones who showed up to randomly win a Stanley Cup.

In the end, the Leafs should probably always have had Bogosian as a seventh defenseman anyways, but there is serious concern that they will make the right decision when the time comes.  Doesn’t matter, really. What matters is playing Sandin.