The hockey world has been on pause for over three months, but things looking up with the NHL into Phase 2 of the Return to Play plan and with a set date of July 10 for training camps to open. The league shutdown has not stopped clubs from doing whatever business they can (including signing prospects to entry-level contracts and free agents from the KHL) and potentially formulating plans after the season with the financial losses affecting the salary cap over the next couple seasons.
Taking a look at a number of potential roster scenarios involving the Toronto Maple Leafs and gauging how GM Kyle Dubas may address the situation, we will look at the Leafs situation on the blueline, specifically rookie defenseman Rasmus Sandin.
The Leafs 2018 top pick had a 10-point performance at the 2020 World Junior for Sweden and was voted the tournament’s top defenseman, but had his year of development in the American Hockey League interrupted due to Toronto’s significant injuries on the blueline.
The youngster showed poise beyond his years, handling power-play quarterbacking duties and increasing responsibilities at even strength. Although the 19-year-old showed the skills that could make him a top-four defenseman in the future, there were also instances where he was outmuscled in puck battles along the boards and in front of the net.
In the upcoming play-in round against Columbus, in spite of the promise shown in his 28-game stint, the Leafs will have a healthy top-six on defense for the first time since late December and will likely opt to play their most experienced blueliners in the series, but going into next season with the likely departure of Tyson Barrie and Cody Ceci to free agency and the near-certainty of a flat salary cap, the Leafs may have little option than to play Sandin in the NHL with his inexpensive entry-level contract.
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