Toronto Maple Leafs Draft Targets: Defensive prospects
By Austin Owens
Rasmus Sandin, Defence, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
Sandin was the first defenceman I featured on the last edition of this series. He remains on the list, as he has continued with his impressive play.
Like Timothy Liljegren last year, Sandin started his draft year playing in the SHL with Rögle BK. But unlike the Toronto Maple Leafs’ 2017 first rounder, he wasn’t brought up through Rögle’s youth ranks.
Sandin came up through the Brynäs ranks before joining Rögle with his older brother Linus. After five games this season, the defender was going to be the odd-man out, with a veteran taking his spot in the lineup. As a result, Rögle loaned Sandin to Sault Ste. Marie of the OHL, who drafted the Swede 52nd overall in the 2017 CHL Import Draft.
Here’s what Aaron Vickers of Future Considerations had to say about Sandin last summer:
"Sandin is a gifted two-way defenseman…a skilled puckhandler who has the confidence to attempt long stretch passes up the middle of the ice or to skate it himself…his hands are an asset in corralling the puck off a hard pass or making a slick deke…although a decent skater with adequate speed, his edgework isn’t as crisp as it could be and it affects him when moving laterally or changing directions…lowering his center of gravity and using longer leg pushes in each stride could also increase his speed…he isn’t afraid to carry the puck through the neutral zone himself, and is shifty and creative with the puck on his stick…strong at fending off forecheckers in his own zone, as he can outwait physical contact and absorb a hit before skating the puck out of trouble or dishing it to a teammate…he has very good defensive awareness, particularly when switching checks or choosing when to pressure opponents below the goal line…not afraid to play the body to close off an opponent along the boards…has some impressive potential as a puck-mover who can also be effective in his own zone."
For a team that was without star defender Conor Timmins for a portion of the season due to the World Juniors and injury, Sandin was a huge add.
He logged big minutes for the Soo and was one of the several reasons why the Greyhounds finished as the best team in the OHL this season.
Sandin finished the year with 12 goals and 45 points, while having a +35 rating and 24 penalty minutes in 51 games. He was tops among OHL rookie defenceman in points and 12th-best in the entire league among defenders. Sandin also pitched in 16 power play points, including four goals.
There is still time to catch Sandin in action ahead of the draft. He didn’t travel with Sweden to play in the U-18 World Championships. However, that was because the Greyhounds made it all the way to the J. Ross Robertson Cup Final against the Hamilton Bulldogs.
Sandin and the Greyhounds have a chance to make it to the 100th Memorial Cup in two weeks time. That would surely give the defenceman more hype than he’s already getting for his steady play.
While he is a smaller body, his defensive ability is what stands out and makes him an appealing option. If Sandin can continue to build on what has made him successful in the OHL and overseas, it would be hard to pass on him with the Leafs’ pick.