NHL Insider Offers Less than Ideal Update on Rasmus Sandin

Toronto's 22-year old defenseman Rasmus Sandin is due for a new contract, and the fact that the two sides do not have a deal done is disconcerting to Leafs' faithful. After all, training camp is right around the corner, and the Maple Leafs have negative cap space to make any sort of deal with the young Swede.

On the latest episode of the 32 Thougths podcast with Elliott Friedman and Jeff Marek, Friedman revealed that Sandin and fellow defenseman Timothy Liljegren received identical offers, to be signed on the same day, but Sandin turned it down while Liljegren accepted.

Further to his report, Toronto remains very high on Sandin and have no interest in trading him any time soon. Still, the contract holdout looks like it will last through camp and possibly into the season.

Sandin's camp is reportedly using Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Jake Bean as a contract-comparable, but Toronto is totally unwilling to go there, per Friedman.

This is bad news for Leafs fans, as they are still wide open to an offer sheet. It is remarkable that no team has stood up and submitted on to this point; after all, if Sandin truly just wants a three-year, $7 million commitment there are several up & coming teams who could foot that bill and either secure young defenseman for a draft pick or two OR hamstring the Toronto Maple Leafs. Win-win for that GM.

That said, Dubas' hesitation is understandable. Sandin had a great season, performing quite impressively at both ends of the ice, but the lack of an acceptable sample size should warrant suspicion. He has only played 88 NHL games, scored 28 points, and has never played in a top-four role. He has performed adequately, but Toronto simply cannot afford the risk of overpaying a young player.

So, if Sandin's representation refuses to budge from their position, he could be in danger of missing games this season, which would present a serious hole on the Leafs' blue line.

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