Rasmus Sandin re-signs with Maple Leafs in the nick of time
Anthony Scultore
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Defenseman Rasmus Sandin and the Toronto Maple Leafs broke their stalemate on Thursday and it comes in the nick of time.
In Wednesday night’s exhibition win over the Montreal Canadiens, two Leafs defensemen were hurt. Jordie Benn (groin) Carl Dahlstrom (shoulder) left in the first period of play forcing two forwards, Alex Kerfoot and Calle Jarnkrok to join the blue-line.
“This morning, Rasmus Sandin and (agent) Lewis Gross reached out to us and informed us that after watching our game last night and seeing more injuries accrued by our defence, that they wanted to get this locked in today,” said Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas. “… so Rasmus could get over to Toronto and help his teammates. We appreciate Rasmus and his camp taking that step today to get this contract done and allow him the time to ready for the final preseason games.”
Toronto Sun
Sandin, 22, registered 16 points in 51 games during the 2021-22 season. The deal is for two-years worth $2.8 million ($1.4 AAV).
Rasmus Sandin to the rescue
Throughout the summer, both sides struggled to make any progress on a deal for the restricted free agent.
While the injuries to the defense were a factor in the two sides coming together, Sandin’s agent wanted to make it clear it wasn’t used as leverage.
“After watching last night’s game and the injuries that occurred, Rasmus and I contacted the Leafs early this AM,” agent Lewis Gross told Pierre LeBrun. “Rasmus knew his teammates and the organization needed him and we had no interest in creating leverage because of a teammates injury.”
The Leafs first-round pick in the 2018 Draft has 28 points in 88 career contests since debuting in the 2019-20 season.
