Kyle Dubas hasn't even spoken to one of his most important free agents
Rasmus Sandin is in a tough spot with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Since the season ended it been reported that management hasn't made a move to secure him a spot in the future. Why is that?
Ilya Lyubushkin is a UFA and could have earned himself a spot, after being a rental. Justin Holl's contract is in it's final year, so he may be a priority before Sandin and it seems like the Leafs aren't sure about Jake Muzzin, who may be traded.
Sandin is currently a restricted free agent and due for a raise, but he lacks the stat lines that would make him a priority in the organization. Lyubushkin and Giordano's acquisitions complicate matters even further for Sandin's future.
His 17 points and 88 hits in 2021-2022 in 51 games, were a career-high along with Sheldon Keefe trusting him on the ice for longer, with a TOI of 16:58.
That being said, Keefe had issues with his play in March when Sandin was outclassed by Victor Olofsson, Jeff Skinner, and Tage Thompson in the same game.
Trade options are there, with Muzzin being moved to help the club with eliminating a $6.25 million cap hit and negating the $2 million bonus due soon.
Sandin's current cap hit is $894,167 and moving Muzzin could pay for a bridge deal. The only question is does Kyle Dubas have the same urgency as Sandin? It's been said the Canucks have been looking for a defenseman, but with the signing of Filip Johansson are the plans to move towards Sandin smart? Johansson could be an AHL-depth signing for now.
