Screenshot: Washington Capitals

The Washington Capitals’ front office has been quite busy in the days leading up to the NHL’s Trade Deadline on Friday, dealing away a number of longtime pieces in a retooling effort after a difficult 2022-23 season. One of the key returns in those deals was defenseman Rasmus Sandin from the Toronto Maple Leafs.

“I was a little surprised”, said the 22-year old rearguard, a former first-round pick of Toronto in 2018, “Obviously not something I was expecting, sad to leave the [Toronto] teammates but excited for the opportunity to come here…it’s a great organization.”

After dealing longtime Top-4 defenseman Dmitry Orlov to the Boston Bruins, the Caps appear to envision Sandin, who has just 140 NHL contests across parts of four seasons, as a future stalwart on the backend.

“I think I’m a pretty creative player”, Sandin responded, when asked to describe his game, “I think I try to play the puck, do what I see out there, I think that’s one of my strengths. I want to be a two-way player, play good with the puck, good breakouts, stuff like that.”

“I think also I need to improve. I mean I’m still very young I want to improve in everything, both offensively and defensively. But I think most of all, just defensive play, stuff like that…especially coming to a new team, learning the system…just try to fit in with a new team.”

Despite his ideal role as a member of the Capitals, the young blueliner knows he will need to earn the role he seeks.

“Obviously you want to prove yourself and earn that role you want. It’s not about just coming here and being given that role that you want. You have to earn it. I’m very prepared for it and I’m very excited for it.”

“I just remember playing Washington with Toronto. I love how they play their game. It’s going to be a lot of fun to be a part of. It’s a lot of similarities with where I was before, and that’s obviously going to help. I think the transition’s not going to be as long as maybe if it wasn’t…I’m very excited about it, it’s going to be fun learning more about the system and all the guys.”

Sandin, who will likely be out of the lineup for the Caps’ matchup against the Anaheim Ducks tonight due to immigration matters to complete, is eager to get into the lineup but also willing to wait.

“We’ll see how long it takes, I’m just very excited and want to get into a game soon…I mean just now first-off as well, seeing the guys now this morning, it’s obviously a quick turnaround with the game tonight, but not playing, it’s going to be good for me to go watch some clips now with the system and learn as much as I can sitting up top…”

Sandin will wear No. 38 with the Caps and has two-years remaining on his current contract.

By Michael Fleetwood