Confirmed with Link: Sandin to Washington for Erik Gustafsson and 1st (BOS)

[Judas Tavares]

On the surface I was highly disappointed. When it said Sandin to Washington I 150% thought Jensen was coming to us, which I was heartily cheering for. I wanted him badly, and was disappointed he wasn’t coming.

Looking at it now, McCabe is an upgrade on Sandin, who would have drawn in for injuries, as he is not good on RHD.

I am glad to have a 1st back and still have a feeling Gus and/or the 1st can still be dealt by Friday, so there may still be more to this.

Ultimately as much as I liked Sandin, I think we improved here and added some much needed draft picks back.

I don't want to say it's my favourite deal... But I like it a lot and I think it fits well after all the other moves that were made before it.

The ROR trade brought in my favourite players of the bunch
The McCabe trade did the best to set the team up for past this season which I love

This trade just gave us great options. You take a guy who wasn't going to develop with us due to all the moves. He likely would have lost value having sat for another playoffs. You turn him into a 1st. I did not think he had that value anymore.

The 1st can be used as an upgrade or just to flat out make a pick. We need to make picks too at some point. I just think this was a really tidy piece of business

 

[DarkKnight]

On the surface I was highly disappointed. When it said Sandin to Washington I 150% thought Jensen was coming to us, which I was heartily cheering for. I wanted him badly, and was disappointed he wasn’t coming.

Looking at it now, McCabe is an upgrade on Sandin, who would have drawn in for injuries, as he is not good on RHD.

I am glad to have a 1st back and still have a feeling Gus and/or the 1st can still be dealt by Friday, so there may still be more to this.

Ultimately as much as I liked Sandin, I think we improved here and added some much needed draft picks back.

Sure, we’ve improved, I mean Sandin probably doesn’t play this playoffs with the moves. I’m just isolating that deal on its own merits, and it falls short for me. Team wise, we‘re better for sure today compared to last week.

 

[TMLAM34]

Jensen would have been the ideal pick up here. Sandin + 3rd for 1st + Jensen instead of going out and getting Schenn.


McCabe - Brodie
Rielly - Jensen
Giordano - Liljegren

That would have been one heck of a blueline.

 

[ITM]

Jensen would have been the ideal pick up here. Sandin + 3rd for 1st + Jensen instead of going out and getting Schenn.


McCabe - Brodie
Rielly - Jensen
Giordano - Liljegren

That would have been one heck of a blueline.

Perhaps part of bringing Schenn in is his experience/familiarity with Tampa's players and system(s)?

 

[The Podium]

Dubas has made some great moves, I’ve applauded his work, this one is easily my least favourite.

I have a feeling it’s not over yet. I have to see what happens with the 1st/Gustafsson before judging the deal.

 

[Judas Tavares]

Jensen would have been the ideal pick up here. Sandin + 3rd for 1st + Jensen instead of going out and getting Schenn.


McCabe - Brodie
Rielly - Jensen
Giordano - Liljegren

That would have been one heck of a blueline.

Maybe Jensen was asked for but the Caps were against it, which makes sense with him having signed an extension right after.

 

[TMLAM34]

Maybe Jensen was asked for but the Caps were against it, which makes sense with him having signed an extension right after.

I didn’t see the contract extension with all these moves happening. Solid deal though. Sandin - Jensen could be a solid pairing for Washington.

 

[hotpaws]

In the right situation he could develop into a Ryan Ellis type , problem is that situation wasn’t going to be here with the road blocks we have in front of him .

 

[Drytoast]

Jake Gardiner the sequel. Please flip this guy, I don't see how he fits into this lineup.

 

[kb]

Gustafsson is bascially the same as Sandin. Just older and bigger.

And a better skater.

 

[Drytoast]

And a better skater.

He's more wreckless with the puck in his own end and doesn't hit. Sandin was better.

 

[kb]

On the surface I was highly disappointed. When it said Sandin to Washington I 150% thought Jensen was coming to us, which I was heartily cheering for. I wanted him badly, and was disappointed he wasn’t coming.

Looking at it now, McCabe is an upgrade on Sandin, who would have drawn in for injuries, as he is not good on RHD.

I am glad to have a 1st back and still have a feeling Gus and/or the 1st can still be dealt by Friday, so there may still be more to this.

Ultimately as much as I liked Sandin, I think we improved here and added some much needed draft picks back.

The irony is that Gustafsson is having a better season, and has improved on his defending to the point where it is passable. Sandin was going to be blocked (Rielly, McCabe, Giordano) for the entirety of the rest of his RFA contract.

This move was inevitable.

 

[Blowfish]

And a better skater.

He had the smarts but he wasn't a below average skater. Just more efficient.

Sandin is regularly described as being a smooth skater, albeit not the fastest. He has a stable base, which he uses well to maintain balance and generate seemingly effortless power. Sandin uses his feet well, often times making up for mistakes or positioning with his skating and play recognition. He effectively uses his skating to shut down the opposition and excels with keeping opponents to the outside because of his good footwork.

The best aspect of Sandin’s offensive game is his vision and passing ability. Sandin sees the ice very well and is able to predict plays before they take place, allowing him to make impressive passes which set up his teammates well. Sandin frequently makes the best decision with the puck, in part due to his ability to remain patient under pressure. He is able to make difficult passes look easy and very rarely makes an ill-advised pass thanks to his top-notch decision making and play recognition abilities.

 

[cyris]

Dont get too use to seeing Gus in a Leafs uni, he will be gone before Saturday.

He might be. We have 3 extra Dmen and no extra forwards right now. But he could also be insurance against Rielly getting hurt during our playoff run leaving us without a dman to run the PP.
The 5 forward set up struggled during the regular season, it would be a disaster in the playoffs.

 

[kb]

He's more wreckless with the puck in his own end and doesn't hit. Sandin was better.

In years gone by, yes. Sandin is a slow skater and wilted under a heavy forecheck. And he was essentially blocked from almost all playing time for the rest of his RFA contract.

But as it stands, neither have a regular role in the top-6 - so what they are or aren't compared to each other is moot..

So they didn't downgrade on the Dman, yet they freed up cap space and with it came a 1st round pick.

Very little to complain about.

 

[kb]

He had the smarts but he wasn't a below average skater. Just more efficient.

Sandin is regularly described as being a smooth skater, albeit not the fastest. He has a stable base, which he uses well to maintain balance and generate seemingly effortless power. Sandin uses his feet well, often times making up for mistakes or positioning with his skating and play recognition. He effectively uses his skating to shut down the opposition and excels with keeping opponents to the outside because of his good footwork.

The best aspect of Sandin’s offensive game is his vision and passing ability. Sandin sees the ice very well and is able to predict plays before they take place, allowing him to make impressive passes which set up his teammates well. Sandin frequently makes the best decision with the puck, in part due to his ability to remain patient under pressure. He is able to make difficult passes look easy and very rarely makes an ill-advised pass thanks to his top-notch decision making and play recognition abilities.

We have seem him not be able to handle a heavy, fast forechecking team.....so that is why he is outside the top 6, and once the McCabe trade was made, he would have had little opportunity to play regularly for the rest of his RFA contract.

It's a good piece of business to move on before his value as a D took a hit.

 

[Ianturnedbull]

I have a feeling it’s not over yet. I have to see what happens with the 1st/Gustafsson before judging the deal.

Yeah there is no way another Toronto D doesn't move this deadline. I am also not convinced that Schenn was acquired only to be a 7th D. As far as I can see Schenn will get a spot as a regular as their #6 Defenseman.

Is Gustafsson a understudy for Rielly, McCabe, and Gio? Possibly Holl an understudy for Brodie, Liljgren, and Schenn?

 

[Pandaman11]

Who do you think will be the odd men out on D, i.e. healthy scratches? Without counting Timmins.

 

[kb]

Who do you think will be the odd men out on D, i.e. healthy scratches? Without counting Timmins.

I think Holl and Schenn will rotate in and out based on opponent's play style, but the top-5 will still be Rielly, Brodie, McCabe, Liljegren, and Giordano.

They will probably give Gustafsson some games to spell off Giordano and make sure Gio's ready for the playoffs.

 

[aingefan]

In the right situation he could develop into a Ryan Ellis type , problem is that situation wasn’t going to be here with the road blocks we have in front of him .

Fair take.
I agree he’s gonna have himself a decent to good career. Smart player.
From an asset mgmt pov, tidy work.
Curious to see in time if he asked/there was an agreement he’d be moved if his path was blocked. Sounds likely.

 

[CapspaceKiller]

I'm fine with this trade. I like recouping a first for a player who isn't a guarantee in the lineup every night even if he has potential. Even next year was going to be a struggle for him and I doubt he cracks the top 4. That being said, I just don't see Gustafsson playing on this team and even really being a leaf that long. One more trade, must be occurring.

 

[Mitch nylander]

I'd flip Gustafsson to a team that needs a pp puck mover. Maybe Dallas for a pick + a forward prospect with nhl qualities.

IE: Gustafsson for Peterson and a 4th.


Would make it Sandin for a 1st, 4th, Peterson. Which I think is more than fair.

 

[Twine Tickler]

Seeing how defeated Rasmus looked on his way out of the practice facility yesterday walking arm and arm with Willy was really tough to see. I know it's a business, but you can tell the swedes on our team really developed a strong bond. You gotta wonder if Rasmus is regretting his mini hold out this past offseason. It appeared abundantly clear by his facial expression that he didn't want to leave Toronto. I think there was even footage of him departing the ice while wiping tears from his face.

This trade really stings TBH.

I know in order to make an omlette you gotta crack a couple eggs, but I fear we may be making a bit too many moves. Hard to believe the dynamic in the room will not be negatively affected to some degree. But then again, our prior formula of just adding never seemed to be enough to wake these guys up come May, so as far as I am concerned, they have not earned the right to have that level of comfort this time around.

In a weird way, I think Rasmus getting shipped out was equal parts not having ice time to give him and also a wakeup call to the boys remaining in that room. Wherein, management is sending a message to that room that there is no more f***ing around. Win or there will be changes.

It's a decision that has a very strong possibility of backfiring, but at the end of the day a new directive needed to be sent to this group. Time will only tell if it will be the right strategy.

At this current moment, I am excited with the look of our roster on paper. Our team is built to win in May/June. On one hand I am worried about the feel in the room, but on the other hand I am also comforted by the fact that we have a former player on staff in Jason Spezza who 100% weighed in on a decision such as this. Jason knows this team better then anyone in management. I don't think for 1 second they make these type of deals without his opinions being heard and taken into account. If Jason felt these type of moves would disrupt the team too much, I am sure he would identify that and Kyle would likely back off. At the end of the day Kyle is just a figure head for management, but he's always operated his club in a collaborative manner. As tough as it was to see Rasmus go, I am comforted in the fact that this was clearly not a shoot from the hip decision and there is more then just 1 playoff run worth of consideration behind his departure.

Once again, Thank You Rasmus! It's going to be tough seeing you in red. I hope the best for you and your family. You will be missed greatly

 

[Machinae]

Can't see how Gustafsson isn't a desired pick up here to run PP1. But I don't know how he plays unless the Leafs run 7 D.

Sandin might still become a great player but he isn't a great player now and wasn't able to solidify a roster spot when Muzzin and Rielly were both out.. so much so that they felt it necissary to bring in McCabe instead. They don't trust him to stand up to the likes of Hathaway and Jeannot.

 

[HamiltonNHL]

This trade really stings TBH.

agreed.

I know in order to make an omlette you gotta crack a couple eggs

love this. will use.

Kyle's job is 100% on the line.

He's all in, because if this team fails ... he's done and I assume "shanny and sheldon" will be gone too.