We’re almost a couple of weeks past the start of free agency, but there are still plenty of NHL rumours. There has been some chatter and we had a few blockbuster deals. However, news on restricted free agents has slowed to a crawl. Today’s NHL rumours look at one of those in Toronto Maple Leafs trying to finish the Rasmus Sandin contract. The young defenceman is unsigned and we look at his options.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Rasmus Sandin Contract Still Unsigned
The Athletic’s Jonas Siegel looked at the options surrounding Sandin this summer. Toronto did extend the Swede a one-year qualifying offer, but that just expired. Both sides could just sign that one-year deal and see what happens.
Why the Rasmus Sandin contract talks may be harder than they look for the Maple Leafs: https://t.co/TOUTOlCbXQ
— Jonas Siegel (@jonassiegel) July 20, 2022
There was hope that Sandin would sign a deal similar to fellow young blueliner Timothy Liljegren that was for two years and $1.4 million average cap hits. However, that hasn’t happened for Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas. Negotiations seemed to be going too slow even though Dubas values Sandin just as much as Liljegren. Dubas called both defenders vital parts of the future and wants to keep them both.
The hope is that something around $2-3 million could be possible for Sandin. However, that means someone will have to be traded off the roster in order for the team to get cap-compliant.
What It Means
It doesn’t seem that Sandin will get an offer sheet from an opposing team. Siegel uses Jake Bean’s contract of three years and $2.2 million per season as a possible template.
Dubas knows a solid season by either Sandin or Liljegren will mean the Leafs will have to make some further salary cap cuts. However, that would seem like a welcome problem as that would mean either one or both blueliners would have solidified Toronto’s blueline.
The Leafs front office has work to do and getting Sandin under contract would be a good start. Sandin’s deal would give Toronto a young defenceman that’s itching to have a breakout season.
Rasmus Sandin just needed an opportunity. And now he’s got one.
📝: @kristen_shilton | https://t.co/Hvdq1x8oZJ pic.twitter.com/1erYN8lK9x
— American Hockey League (@TheAHL) April 24, 2021
