Mark LoMoglio/NHLI via Getty Images
When the Washington Capitals acquired defenseman Rasmus Sandin from the Toronto Maple Leafs at the 2023 trade deadline, they did so anticipating that the 23-year old would play a significant role on the blueline in the then-absence of John Carlson and after his return.
Through his first 13 games in a Washington sweater, Sandin is making good on the potential General Manager Brian MacLellan expressed in him and that made him a first-round pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.
Sandin recorded an assist on Craig Smith’s goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday night, marking his 13th point in 13 games as a Capital.
Rasmus Sandin was credited with the secondary assist on Smith’s goal. Sandin has recorded 13 points (1g, 12a) in 13 games with Washington since making his team debut on March 4.
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) March 31, 2023
In that same span, Sandin ranks behind only Dylan Strom and Alex Ovechkin team scoring.
Since March 4, Sandin’s 13 points rank third on Washington (Dylan Strome: 17p; Alex Ovechkin: 15p).
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) March 31, 2023
On the season, Sandin has a total of five goals and 33 Points in 65 Games Played with Toronto and Washington.
I have heard he lacks speed to be a top tier defender!
He does. But then so does Adam Fox. I doubt Sandin will ever be at that level (few are), but his “ceiling” would be as a lower-case Adam Fox: a smaller defender who lacks speed but is super-intelligent and can move the puck and rack up assists. His “floor” would be as a more robust Christian Djoos: someone who needs to play sheltered minutes due to his defensive deficiencies but who can move the puck exceedingly well (and, unlike Djoos, is robust enough to withstand the rigors of the NHL). My wish is that Sandin spends the off-season watching tape of how Fox defends; he excels at it despite his lack of size or speed so it can be done.
Speaking of Djoos: he’s the #1 defenseman on Swiss team Zug EV, who lost today, in the first game of the semifinals. He looks well suited to that league. The dirty work for Zug was done by Caps prospect Tobias Geisser, who was in the face of every Geneva Servette player who got near his goaltender.
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Is Rasmus really the long lost son of actor Owen Wilson? Dang, they look alike!
13pts….. -6