Washington Capitals defenseman Rasmus Sandin and Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman William Nylander remain close friends after parting as teammates.

In many ways, February 28, 2023, marked a massive change for the Toronto Maple Leafs. 

Nearing the trade deadline, the club pulled the trigger on three deals that would further strengthen Toronto’s drive for a playoff push.

This time, though, they made moves that would see roster players depart in an effort to shave some salary and Rasmus Sandin found himself involved in a deal to the Washington Capitals.

In an interview with Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman and Jeff Marek from Sweden conducted in August in the latest episode of 32 Thoughts, Sandin discussed that day among a plethora of topics.

"That was obviously a curveball when I got traded," Sandin recalled. "Coming into it, I knew two guys really well. One of them was Erik Gustafsson who got traded for me and the second guy was Marcus Johansson who got traded who got traded like five minutes before I did. I was like, who am I going to know on the team?”

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Sandin eventually settled in well. Fellow Swede Nicklas Backstrom helped with getting him settled within the club.  But the rollercoaster of Feb. 28 wasn't forgotten. Sandin was traded in the midst of practice in Seattle before the Maple Leafs were heading out on a plane to take on the Edmonton Oilers the very next night.

When practice concluded, Sportsnet cameras caught former teammate and close friend William Nylander walking with Sandin and putting his arm around him.

"When we walked off, I think that was really cool and he was kind of saying ‘don’t cry yet, cameras are around,'" Sandin said of that particular moment."He was telling me stuff like that and that it was good and just wished me the best. We still talk every single day."

The 14-minute interview revealed a lot about Sandin, but more about his relationship with Nylander, who comes across as someone who isn't phased by anything or any situation that comes his way. Sandin lived with Nylander in his first season with Toronto and spent much of last season living with Nylander before the trade to Washington.

"He really cares and if you’re in his inner circle too being close to him, he’s all about his family, all about his friends," Sandin said. “If I called him and asked him to stop what he’s doing and do something for me he would do it. If you’re in his inner circle and you know him, he’s the best guy ever."

Nylander spoke to Elliotte and Jeff during the same media tour last month and said there was no rush to get anything done on his end with the Maple Leafs regarding a new deal. The 27-year-old is in the final year of his contract that pays him just under $7 million per season on an average annual basis. He will become an unrestricted free agent if an extension is not agreed upon before July 1, 2024.

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