Traded in February to the Washington Capitals for Erik Gustafsson and the Boston Bruins defenseman, the 22-year-old defenseman returned to Toronto to collect his things and say hello.
Traded in February to the Washington Capitals for Erik Gustafsson and the Boston Bruins defenseman, the 22-year-old defenseman returned to Toronto to collect his things and say hello.
As the Toronto Maple Leafs kicked off their final practice before their Stanley Cup Playoffs with the Tampa Bay Lighting, the team was greeted with a friendly surprise as Rasmus Sandin came over to say hello.
Sandin and the Leafs were all smiles as the Capitals defenseman came over to "pack my shit" as he told TSN's Chris Johnston.
Sandin, along with some friends, stuck around as the Maple Leafs put in their final preparations ahead of their Game 1 matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
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The Maple Leafs drafted Sandin in the first round (29th overall) at the 2018 NHL Draft and suited up in 150 games with Toronto before the club dealt him to the Capitals in exchange for defenseman Erik Gustafsson and the Boston Bruins' 2023 first-round pick.
It was no doubt an emotional goodbye when the Leafs dealt him on Feb. 28. The team was practicing in Seattle when he was pulled off the ice as the trade was consummated.
Sandin has thrived offensively since joining the Capitals. He had three goals and 12 assists in 19 games. The defenseman has one more year on his contract at a salary cap hit of $1.4 million.
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