Toronto Maple Leafs Sandin Trade Hurts Now But Potential Windfall Awaits

The Toronto Maple Leafs defense has rightfully been maligned throughout the offseason. Early season results have done nothing to alleviate the concerns.

Adding to the frustrations of Toronto Maple Leafs fans is seeing a former first-round pick play important minutes for an Eastern Conference rival that currently holds a playoff position.

When the Leafs moved on from restricted free-agent defenseman Rasmus Sandin last February, they did so because as a left-side defender, the acquisition of Jake McCabe left him nowhere to play.

The return was a late first-round pick, something the Leafs had lacked in many recent drafts. It wasn’t considered a needle-moving transaction for either the Leafs or the Washington Capitals.

Toronto Maple Leafs Sandin Trade Hurts Now But Potential Windfall Awaits

After the offseason exodus of former Leafs defensemen Justin Holl and Luke Schenn, questionable replacements brought in, plus an early season injury to Timothy Liljegren, one might argue the Leafs should have kept Sandin.

The Leafs most glaring weakness, after all, is their porous defense, which has significantly slipped in the league rankings compared to last season.

In the short term, it is hard to see a former high-draft pick playing significant minutes elsewhere.

The lightly regarded Leafs defense has many pining for the return of preseason sensation Connor Timmins, an unproven, previous bottom-of-the-roster depth piece.

Yes, things are that bad.

Perhaps, Timmins has not reached his ceiling and will develop into a regular, reliable defenseman, but to happily clamor for his return confirms the dire straits of the Leafs defense.

That is a problem likely only solved by a trade for outside help. For fans of the Leafs, it is hard to digest considering the defensive standard set last year, plus the play of the back end during last year’s playoffs.

While it won’t help this year’s problems on defense, the Leafs and their fans can take solace in the fact that the return from the Sandin trade is a potential boon for the team.

The pick of Easton Cowan last summer was immediately panned by many in the hockey community. It was thought to be a reach.

Predicting the future development of young teenagers is an educated guess at best, but it appears the Leafs have hit a home run based on the early returns.

Cowan played so well during the preseason, that the Leafs kept him around and delayed his return to the London Knights. He acquitted himself well and was rewarded with extra games rather than the courtesy one-game cameo for most high draft picks.

Since his return to junior, Cowan has dominated. He is averaging close to two points a game and has put himself in strong contention for the upcoming World Junior Tournament.

As mentioned, prospect projections can be tricky, but it is not hard to imagine Cowan playing a regular role with the Leafs as soon as next season.

His gritty, two-way play, could bring the Leafs something they haven’t regularly had in the lineup since former Knight Nazem Kadri.

With free agent forward additions, Max Domi and Tyler Bertuzzi signed to 1-year deals, Cowan and fellow preseason surprise Fraser Minten could provide depth at the crucial position of centre, with the bonus of being on entry-level deals.

The Leafs commitment to their stars and expensive contracts make draft picks on entry-level deals a key component for success.

A forward group led by Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander during their prime years, with Matthew Knies, Cowan, and Minten supplementing them is a mouth-watering proposition.

It should give pause to the Toronto Maple Leafs if they are considering moving one of the prospects for immediate help on defense.

The return from the Sandin trade could eventually swing heavily in the Leafs favor. They need to take the time to see it through.