Former Maple Leafs Defenseman Rasmus Sandin Inks Five-Year, $23 Million Extension With Capitals

The 23-year-old has three goals and 17 assists in 52 games while averaging 21:19 of ice time per game. Drafted by the Maple Leafs in the first round (29th overall) in the 2018 NHL Draft, Sandin was traded to Washington last year in exchange for defenseman Erik Gustafsson and a first-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, which the Leafs used to select London Knights forward Easton Cowan.

Heading into last season, Sandin was involved in a lengthy contract dispute that forced him to miss part of training camp before eventually signing a two-year, $2.8 million extension. That contract will expire at the end of this year. 

With Washington, Sandin is getting top pair minutes while playing under head coach Spencer Carbery. Sandin and Carbery were together with the Maple Leafs when Carbery served as an assistant for two seasons.

Sandin will become the second-highest-paid defenseman behind veteran blueliner John Carlsson.