38 Rasmus Sandin D

Sandin was a healthy scratch Monday against San Jose.

It was simply a break -- Sandin has played a lot of hockey for the Marlies (AHL), Sweden (IIHF U20) and now the Leafs. He had an assist Saturday against Vancouver but also saw just 13:23 of ice time. Sandin is a good one, but he doesn't turn 20 until Saturday, and the NHL is rough on teenage defenders. He has one goal and seven assists in 26 games.

Sandin scored the game-winning goal and added an assist with three shots Monday in a 5-2 win over Nashville.

Sandin crept in from the point and buried a loose puck to give Toronto a 3-1 lead less than five minutes into the second period. It was the first NHL goal for the 19-year-old defenseman, who also lobbed a picture-perfect breakaway pass to William Nylander on the game's first goal early in the first period. In his four games since being recalled from the AHL, Sandin has provided a goal and three assists with seven shots and a plus-3 rating.

Sandin recorded two assists, including one with the man advantage, in his first NHL game since Oct. 12.

This performance certainly didn't make it feel like Sandin hadn't played at the NHL level in more than three months. He played 16:12 and received nearly two minutes of ice time on the power play. One has to believe that this performance will earn Sandin another opportunity in the lineup. He now has zero goals and four assists in seven career games.

The Maple Leafs recalled Sandin from AHL Toronto on Monday.

Sandin hasn't played an NHL game since Oct. 12, and he most recently was named the best defenseman at the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship. The 19-year-old Swede recorded three goals and seven assists over 10 games en route to a bronze medal. Morgan Rielly will be out at least eight weeks with a broken foot, so the Maple Leafs will likely rely on Sandin to play a hefty role going forward.

Sandin was named best defenceman at the 2020 World Junior Championship.

He finished tied for fourth in tournament scoring with 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in seven games. His Team Sweden won the bronze medal. Sandin could be in line for a promotion to the Maple Leafs once he returns to North America, so be ready for a waiver claim. He could help.

Sandin will be in the lineup against Sweden on Thursday, Scott Wheeler of The Athletic reports.

After taking a slash to the wrist, there was concern that Sandin would miss some time but x-rays came back negative. Once the World Junior Championships wrap up, the blueliner figures to return to AHL Toronto, though he has likely shown the team enough to warrant a call-up sooner rather than later.

Sandin left Tuesday's game at the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship after a slash to the arm and was taken for X-rays, reports the Toronto Star.

Sandin, the Swedes and the Maple Leafs all caught a break -- the test showed no fracture. Sweden will meet the host Czech Republic in the quarterfinals Thursday. The young defender could be recalled to the Leafs when he returns from the tourney next week.

Sandin will join Team Sweden for the upcoming World Juniors Championships, Lance Hornby of The Toronto Sun reports.

A first-round selection in the 2018 NHL Draft, Sandin has racked up two goals and 12 points in 18 contests with AHL Toronto this season. He also tallied a pair of assists in the Maple Leafs' first six games of the season.

The Maple Leafs assigned Sandin to AHL Toronto on Monday.

Sandin slotted in for six games with the big club and averaged just 12:13 TOI. He managed two assists in limited action. The 19-year-old -- who was the Maple Leafs' first-round pick (29th overall) in 2018 -- will fine-tune his game in the minors for now while veteran Kevin Gravel is called up to take his place with the big club. Last season, Sandin posted 28 points in 44 AHL games.

Sandin is averaging 10:36 on the Leafs' third defense pairing.

The kid looks good, but coach Mike Babcock is playing his top four a ton -- all are averaging over 22:30. As good as Sandin is, his development would be better served as a top guy in the AHL rather than warming the bench in the NHL.

Sandin is pushing to make the Leafs' Opening Night roster, reports Sportsnet.ca.

"He's been outstanding," said fellow defender Morgan Rielly following the first few preseason games. Sandin has a great fantasy future, but at 19, his entry-level status plays hard against him. Like Travis Dermott last season, the Sandman can move freely to the AHL Marlies without passing through waivers. Four other contenders for the bottom D-pairing would have to clear waivers. Still, Sandin's poise and talent bely his youth and the Leafs need talent on the back end. At minimum, he's stash-worthy in keeper formats.