The Philadelphia Flyers have signed Swedish forward Linus Sandin to a one-year contract. The deal will take Sandin through 2020-21. Chris Johnson of Sportsnet broke the news early Wednesday afternoon.
Swedish forward Linus Sandin has finalized a one-year, entry-level contract with the @NHLFlyers.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) April 29, 2020
Flyers Sign Linus Sandin
The 23-year-old Sandin has been playing with HV71 in the Swedish League in 2019-20. He has been quite good for the program with 19 goals and 36 points in 51 games. His numbers might not carry over to the NHL but the SHL is one of the best leagues outside of North America. Sandin was also a part of Sweden’s 2018-19 international team but only scored three goals in eight games.
Sandin looks capable of playing in the NHL. His 6’1″, 209-pound frame gives him a professional-calibre body. There isn’t much regarding Sandin’s abilities but he has been a solid goal-scorer for various teams in Sweden since he was a teenager. He also has an exciting pedigree. He is the older brother of current Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Rasmus Sandin. His name recognition is worth something in addition to his respectable stats in Europe.
What This Signing Means for the Future
Teams are eager to lock down low-risk options at a time of massive uncertainty. There is no indication when hockey operations will resume and even less is clear about the 2020-21 season. Sandin is a good buy-low option for Philadelphia. He will either work out as a cheap middle or bottom-six option and get a deal beyond next year or Philadelphia will have spent very little money on a lottery ticket.
The Flyers still have a few contract decisions but no major players are scheduled for free agency this summer. They can easily let veterans like Nate Thompson or Derek Grant walk and let Sandin try for an opening night roster spot in training camp. The Flyers won’t much cap space this summer so it gives young, cheaper players an opening for the future roster.
