Yet Another Toronto Maple Leafs Defenseman Is Injured

The Toronto Maple Leafs defense is starting to resemble Mr. Burns Softball Team.

So far this season, every single one of the Toronto Maple Leafs best defenseman have been injured.

Jake Muzzin hurt his neck, he may have to retire.  Morgan Rielly hurt his knee, he’s been out for over ten games now and is still going to miss a few more weeks.  T.J Brodie had some oblique issues (which he never explained in detail! I’ll be here all week folks) and finally the team’s best overall defender, Timothy Liljegren, missed the first ten games with a hernia.

This has led to them using 12 defenseman in total. That is a lot.

But even crazier, it has also led to Justin Holl playing more minutes than any other player on the roster this season.  Not that he’s bad or anything, but he’s still the most likely player to lose his job if the Leafs trade for a better defenseman.

And last night, Rasmus Sandin was injured in the game vs Tampa.  He left during the second period with a neck injury and did not return.  While scary, it is not expected to be a serious injury.

Toronto Maple Leafs and Rasmus Sandin

According to quotes from Sheldon Keefe, the injury does not appear serious, but obviously neck injuries require caution.

This is good both because Morgan Rielly and Jake Muzzin are already out with injuries, but even more so because Rasmus Sandin is flirting with becoming an elite NHL defenseman and is now one of the Leafs most indispensable players.

Sandin has a 56% Possession Rating.  The Leafs get 61% of the scoring chances when he’s on the ice, and 63% of the dangerous ones.  His Expected Goals rating is an elite 61% but he’s actually outperforming it.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are outscoring their opposition 28-15 so far this season at 5v5 with Rasmus on the ice.

He leads the Leafs in all on-ice stats for defenseman. Sandin is a dominant, two-way NHL defenseman who is on the  verge of being recognized as the star he already is.

What’s crazy is, as good as Sandin is, and he’s very, very good, Timothy Liljegren is even better.  The Core Four is going to have to make room for two more players, and frankly, I think the Leafs are going to regret not signing them for longer terms earlier this year.

Still, at 1.4 million, for this year and next year, Sandin is on one of the most valuable contracts in the league.