Not sure why this was the best route for him to take.
I don't believe he dominated the OHL & was probably better served to play there at least another year.
Isn't there a logjam of defensemen on the Marlies already? And with Sandin taking priority based on draft status, that pushes Borgman, Rosen or Nielsen off the roster most nights.
Not sure why this was the best route for him to take.
I don't believe he dominated the OHL & was probably better served to play there at least another year.
Isn't there a logjam of defensemen on the Marlies already? And with Sandin taking priority based on draft status, that pushes Borgman, Rosen or Nielsen off the roster most nights.
Not sure why this was the best route for him to take.
I don't believe he dominated the OHL & was probably better served to play there at least another year.
Isn't there a logjam of defensemen on the Marlies already? And with Sandin taking priority based on draft status, that pushes Borgman, Rosen or Nielsen off the roster most nights.
It doesn't seem that Sandin was interested in going back to the OHL. It was either Sweden or Toronto and I think the leafs brass felt it's better to have him in Toronto where he can use their resources to get better and they can keep an eye on him
Being to good for the OHL is not a good way to develop. He will also play at the world Jr this year and that should tell us just where he is among his peers.Not sure why this was the best route for him to take.
I don't believe he dominated the OHL & was probably better served to play there at least another year.
Isn't there a logjam of defensemen on the Marlies already? And with Sandin taking priority based on draft status, that pushes Borgman, Rosen or Nielsen off the roster most nights.
Isn't there a logjam of defensemen on the Marlies already? And with Sandin taking priority based on draft status, that pushes Borgman, Rosen or Nielsen off the roster most nights.
Being to good for the OHL is not a good way to develop. He will also play at the world Jr this year and that should tell us just where he is among his peers.
He came over as a 17yr old and had 45 points in 51 games and 13 in 24 playoff games.
That's an impressive season for an import defenceman getting used to a new culture, country, etc.
Being in the city to skate with pro's daily, get pro coaching, and get some minutes in a pro environment while learning how to play "Leafs hockey" isn't a bad development option. Over playing in junior can hurt players. And if he goes back to Sweden he might get no more ice time and we have no control over his practice habits, nutrition, etc.
Pushing veterans down that could play bottom pairing NHL minutes, and at just 18 at that, shows what his skill set really is and how highly everyone thinks of him. I think having him under Keefe for the season is a huge positive even if he doesn't eat big minutes.
Since he was on loan going back to the OHL likely wasn't at all an option. We picked pro in Toronto over pro in Sweden to bring him along. I think that's a wise move.
That we have such a huge Swedish contingent on that blueline (to go along with Grundstrom and Engvall up front) is a nice little bonus, as well. (I know he's already been playing in NA for a year, but that's gotta help make him feel at home here.)Sandin probably won't get a ton of top usage, unless he's just hits the ground running and plays great.
I think it's actually a really good spot for Sandin. Guys like Rosen, Borgman and Liljegren can carry most of the load, and then there's some servicable guys to fill in elsewhere. There isn't too much pressure for Sandin to perform at a high level right away, yet if he does, then there's no reason not to move him up. They're pretty free to play him whatever minutes in whatever situations are appropriate for him at the time.