Confirmed with Link: Sandin signs 2 x 1.4

[SeaOfBlue]

Sandin was not worried about Benn and Dahlstr. Come on.

Then why did he decide the morning after they both coincidentally suffered serious injuries to decide that there were enough injuries for him to have an opportunity? If he is not worried about Benn and Dahlstrom, then did he randomly just wake up this morning and decide that the same opportunity that was presented to him at the start of training camp last week (when Muzzin and Liljegren were hurt) is suddenly good enough for him?

He is either stupid or threatened. Or maybe both, because he doesn't realize that he still needs to beat out Kral and Mete, who are far more likely to take his job than Dahlstrom and Benn.

This is not a matter of whether he should have been threatened either (because he is not going to lose a job to Benn or Dahlstrom and should not have been threatened) but rather if he was. Based on his actions, it seems like he was threatened.

 

[therealkoho]

Wonder how he knows what was offered?

Because he's Mike Stephen's, dammit!

 

[zeke]

Then why did he decide the morning after they both coincidentally suffered serious injuries to decide that there were enough injuries for him to have an opportunity? If he is not worried about Benn and Dahlstrom, then did he randomly just wake up this morning and decide that the same opportunity that was presented to him at the start of training camp last week (when Muzzin and Liljegren were hurt) is suddenly good enough for him?

He is either stupid or threatened. Or maybe both, because he doesn't realize that he still needs to beat out Kral and Mete, who are far more likely to take his job than Dahlstrom and Benn.

This is not a matter of whether he should have been threatened either (because he is not going to lose a job to Benn or Dahlstrom and should not have been threatened) but rather if he was. Based on his actions, it seems like he was threatened.

Do you legitimately believe Sandin decided to sign because Jordie Benn and Carl Dahlstrom were injured last night?

 

[LeafChief]

Then why did he decide the morning after they both coincidentally suffered serious injuries to decide that there were enough injuries for him to have an opportunity? If he is not worried about Benn and Dahlstrom, then did he randomly just wake up this morning and decide that the same opportunity that was presented to him at the start of training camp last week (when Muzzin and Liljegren were hurt) is suddenly good enough for him?

He is either stupid or threatened. Or maybe both, because he doesn't realize that he still needs to beat out Kral and Mete, who are far more likely to take his job than Dahlstrom and Benn.

This is not a matter of whether he should have been threatened either (because he is not going to lose a job to Benn or Dahlstrom and should not have been threatened) but rather if he was. Based on his actions, it seems like he was threatened.

If I'm Sandin, I consider myself to be a better player than Dahlstrom and Benn. If they're all signed and healthy, Sandin ranks ahead of both easily in my opinion, but that's just my opinion.

Seems the injuries could have been a way for the agent to save some face and use that as an opportunity to accept the offer that has been on the table since June/July while making the player look like a martyr in a situation where both player and agent overplayed their hand.

 

[francis246]

Then why did he decide the morning after they both coincidentally suffered serious injuries to decide that there were enough injuries for him to have an opportunity? If he is not worried about Benn and Dahlstrom, then did he randomly just wake up this morning and decide that the same opportunity that was presented to him at the start of training camp last week (when Muzzin and Liljegren were hurt) is suddenly good enough for him?

He is either stupid or threatened. Or maybe both, because he doesn't realize that he still needs to beat out Kral and Mete, who are far more likely to take his job than Dahlstrom and Benn.

This is not a matter of whether he should have been threatened either (because he is not going to lose a job to Benn or Dahlstrom and should not have been threatened) but rather if he was. Based on his actions, it seems like he was threatened.

Thank you, I don’t know why my post got deleted. But if he wasn’t worried he would have signed days earlier. He made the call once the injuries happened.

Sandin wanted the easiest path with the least amount of competition.

Also we are only hearing one side which is the leafs side. It’s also completely possible the leafs lowballed him and just want everyone to believe that 1.4 was always on the table. It is possible that they value Liljegren more and Sandin wasn’t originally offered a matching deal.

Maybe the 1.4 was on the table in recent weeks.

 

[kb]

Then why did he decide the morning after they both coincidentally suffered serious injuries to decide that there were enough injuries for him to have an opportunity? If he is not worried about Benn and Dahlstrom, then did he randomly just wake up this morning and decide that the same opportunity that was presented to him at the start of training camp last week (when Muzzin and Liljegren were hurt) is suddenly good enough for him?

He is either stupid or threatened. Or maybe both, because he doesn't realize that he still needs to beat out Kral and Mete, who are far more likely to take his job than Dahlstrom and Benn.

This is not a matter of whether he should have been threatened either (because he is not going to lose a job to Benn or Dahlstrom and should not have been threatened) but rather if he was. Based on his actions, it seems like he was threatened.

I think the timing is more coincidental, and I'm one who doesn't believe in coincidences. If he holds out any longer, he most likely misses regular season time.

From the moment the Liljegren injury was announced, there was a spot for him in the top-6. I think it was an ego thing that he (or his agent - for optics) had to have some part of his contract be "better" than Liljegrens, so while the Leafs held firm on the dollar value, the Leafs ended up obliging on the QO - which is purely optics at this point.

I don't think he was worried at all about the competition with the Mete's, Benn's, etc.

 

[francis246]

If I'm Sandin, I consider myself to be a better player than Dahlstrom and Benn. If they're all signed and healthy, Sandin ranks ahead of both easily in my opinion, but that's just my opinion.

Seems the injuries could have been a way for the agent to save some face and use that as an opportunity to accept the offer that has been on the table since June/July while making the player look like a martyr in a situation where both player and agent overplayed their hand.

Agreed but remember this wasn’t about money. It was more about proving that the leafs NEED him. With those injuries happening, now the leafs really do need him. So I think that was the satisfaction he or Louis Gross needed in order for the deal to happen. It’s quite weird but I’d probably bet 1 million dollars that had Benn and Dahlstrom escaped yesterdays game healthy, Sandin wouldn’t have signed. He would have waited until whenever this pressure point for the team arose and defensemen got hurt.

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

Do you legitimately believe Sandin decided to sign because Jordie Benn and Carl Dahlstrom were injured last night?

I mean, that’s what Dubas said.



Don’t think Sandin was “threatened” by those two, but fewer depth options on defence means he’ll have an easier time keeping a spot in the lineup.

Or like @LeafChief said they’re all just saving face for Sandin and his agent.

 

[LeafChief]

Agreed but remember this wasn’t about money. It was more about proving that the leafs NEED him. With those injuries happening, now the leafs really do need him. So I think that was the satisfaction he or Louis Gross needed in order for the deal to happen. It’s quite weird but I’d probably bet 1 million dollars that had Benn and Dahlstrom escaped yesterdays game healthy, Sandin wouldn’t have signed. He would have waited until whenever this pressure point for the team arose and defensemen got hurt.

I can see that. The Leafs are in a worse position today defenceman-wise than they were yesterday. That's a fair point.

I still believe that Sandin has to know that regardless of injury, he's slotted in ahead of Dahlstrom/Mete/Benn no matter what though.

I think the agent really screwed up here. The 1.4x2 was reported by all of the big boys (Friedman, Johnston, etc) so this was a nice way for the agent to fold while making it seem like Sandin has agreed to take the deal to come in and save the day.

Regardless, I'm happy he's signed. I think he's going to be very important for the team this year and moving forward.

 

[zeke]

I mean, that’s what Dubas said.



Don’t think Sandin was “threatened” by those two, but fewer depth options on defence means he’ll have an easier time keeping a spot in the lineup.

Or like @LeafChief said they’re all just saving face for Sandin and his agent.

Sandin has never actually not had a spot in the lineup when healthy for 2 years now.

It would be bizarre if Benn and Dahlstrom were a factor in his mind.

The truth is probably that he was already probably feeling pretty shitty about holding out and was on the verge of signing, so I guess maybe seeing his teammates needing jarnkrok and kerf on the blueline was maybe the last twinge of shame he needed to make the call.

 

[CanadasTeam]

sarcasm for all the Dubas haters. The smiley is a hint, my friend.

You need the right emoji --what's the saying again “Even a blind squirrel...."

 

[francis246]

I can see that. The Leafs are in a worse position today defenceman-wise than they were yesterday. That's a fair point.

I still believe that Sandin has to know that regardless of injury, he's slotted in ahead of Dahlstrom/Mete/Benn no matter what though.

I think the agent really screwed up here. The 1.4x2 was reported by all of the big boys (Friedman, Johnston, etc) so this was a nice way for the agent to fold while making it seem like Sandin has agreed to take the deal to come in and save the day.

Regardless, I'm happy he's signed. I think he's going to be very important for the team this year and moving forward.

100% agree with you. I also though, have a sinking feeling the leafs are not telling the full truth. For whatever reason I don’t think matching deals were on the table. I think the leafs think Liljegren is better, I think the leafs probably low balled Sandin after his injury thinking he’d take his QO or a reduced 1 year prove it deal and Sandin got pissed. Or Louis Gross got in his ear about it.

Either way like you I’m glad it’s done now. But we’ll never know the full details unfortunately haha which sucks!

 

[Rude Dog]

Sandin is a useful D. Glad he's back for 2 more years.

 

[LeafChief]

100% agree with you. I also though, have a sinking feeling the leafs are not telling the full truth. For whatever reason I don’t think matching deals were on the table. I think the leafs think Liljegren is better, I think the leafs probably low balled Sandin after his injury thinking he’d take his QO or a reduced 1 year prove it deal and Sandin got pissed. Or Louis Gross got in his ear about it.

Either way like you I’m glad it’s done now. But we’ll never know the full details unfortunately haha which sucks!

All we've heard is that they offered matching deals so I'll believe that until we hear otherwise.

I think with Sandin and Liljegren, they keep yo-yoing past each other so I think the team sees them pretty similarly. At the beginning of last year, most would have agreed that Sandin was ahead of Liljegren. At the end of last year, most would agree that Liljegren was ahead of Sandin.

By the end of this year, it will probably flip flop a few more times. Hopefully they keep pushing each other to each get better and better.

 

[horner]

Sandin did nothing wrong and he's here 1 real pre season game in. Some of you sound like jilted lovers lol.

I think what everyone is confused about is that he sat out for nothing.
Same deal was on the table months ago.

 

[IPS]

Can anyone play the right side if we move Holl? I know we have tried Sandin, can't remember how he looked.

Very bad. Brodie and Hainsey are special breeds for how well they play on their off-sides.

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

I mean, that’s what Dubas said.



Don’t think Sandin was “threatened” by those two, but fewer depth options on defence means he’ll have an easier time keeping a spot in the lineup.

Or like @LeafChief said they’re all just saving face for Sandin and his agent.

I think that was just fluff to create some good will, since they said Sandin wanted to come to the rescue. I don't really believe that, but I definitely don't believe he was scared of Benn and Dahlstrom taking his spot

 

[IPS]

I think all of Gio, Rielly, Sandin could.

They've done Rielly on the right side a couple times and it never looked good. I have no clue about Gio.

Another RHD is probably coming.

 

[Fogelhund]

I think what everyone is confused about is that he sat out for nothing.
Same deal was on the table months ago.

Do we know factually THIS offer was on the table months ago? Or speculation?

At the end of the day, does it matter? He'll be playing, didn't miss any games, and was surely training. He isn't new to the org....

 

[zeke]

People seem to forget that Sandin had a fulltime spot from day one last year, playing with Dermott on the bottom pair, and it was Liljegren that had to fight his way into the lineup.

They've done Rielly on the right side a couple times and it never looked good. I have no clue about Gio.

Another RHD is probably coming.

I disagree - no matter what Babcock said the Muzz-Rielly pairing looked great together imo.

 

[francis246]

All we've heard is that they offered matching deals so I'll believe that until we hear otherwise.

I think with Sandin and Liljegren, they keep yo-yoing past each other so I think the team sees them pretty similarly. At the beginning of last year, most would have agreed that Sandin was ahead of Liljegren. At the end of last year, most would agree that Liljegren was ahead of Sandin.

By the end of this year, it will probably flip flop a few more times. Hopefully they keep pushing each other to each get better and better.

I do believe matching deals eventually were on the table but I’m not buying the time line haha. Especially considering how cap strapped the Leafs are, they were probably looking for savings anywhere they could. I really think they thought Sandin would take a 1 year prove it deal like Brannstrom, then pay him the following year and that blew up in their face. I’m sure a matching deal was offered at some point but I wouldn’t be surprised to hear it was later in the summer. Or it wasn’t the starting point

 

[IPS]

People seem to forget that Sandin had a fulltime spot from day one last year, playing with Dermott on the bottom pair, and it was Liljegren that had to fight his way into the lineup.



I disagree - no matter what Babcock said the Muzz-Rielly pairing looked great together imo.

I don't think it'll last long.

How much time did we even get with Muzz-Rielly? I don't even remember, Babcock never gave us extended looks at anything new.

There's been a few times in Rielly's career he's played the right side and things didn't look right for him. The team is better off having him where he's best IMO

 

[LeafChief]

I do believe matching deals eventually were on the table but I’m not buying the time line haha. Especially considering how cap strapped the Leafs are, they were probably looking for savings anywhere they could. I really think they thought Sandin would take a 1 year prove it deal like Brannstrom, then pay him the following year and that blew up in their face. I’m sure a matching deal was offered at some point but I wouldn’t be surprised to hear it was later in the summer. Or it wasn’t the starting point

That doesn't really add up with the timeline though. Brannstrom signed way after Liljegren and the Sandin reports came out at the time Liljegren signed.

I think you might be overthinking this. Friedman/Marek and Johnston have both covered it at length in their podcasts.

 

[zeke]

I don't think it'll last long.

How much time did we even get with Muzz-Rielly? I don't even remember, Babcock never gave us extended looks at anything new.

There's been a few times in Rielly's career he's played the right side and things didn't look right for him. The team is better off having him where he's best IMO

It was the first bunch of games Muzz was here. I thought they were great and the nerd numbers loved them as a duo. Don't think he's ever had a other significant stretch. Though maybe with the corpse of Phaneuf?

And tbh Mo doesn't "look right" defensively in the left side anyways.

 

[francis246]

That doesn't really add up with the timeline though. Brannstrom signed way after Liljegren and the Sandin reports came out at the time Liljegren signed.

I think you might be overthinking this. Friedman/Marek and Johnston have both covered it at length in their podcasts.

I think I’m just trying to reason why he could be so willing to sit out. But also I’m hesitant to believe everything that’s reported. Teams lie all the time to save face and make them look good. It would be advantageous for Dubas to do so and have public support this time around to avoid the backlash he took from the other RFA negotiations.