Former Leaf returns to Toronto 6 weeks after being traded, spotted with Dubas, Spezza
In a trade that kick-started a very busy afternoon for Kyle Dubas in February, the 5th-year GM sent Rasmus Sandin to Washington for Erik Gustafsson and a first round pick. The move shocked the Leafs and their fans as Dubas had recently claimed Sandin was part of the future for the Leafs after he signed a 2-year extension during training camp.
When news of the trade broke, Sandin was in the middle of practice and was pulled from the ice. Once the rest of the team finished practice and the Leafs also dealt Pierre Engvall, Sandin was escorted out of the building arm-in-arm with William Nylander in what was a somber goodbye from his then teammates. With the Captials' season over, Sandin was seen taking in Leaf practice today alongside Kyle Dubas and Jason Spezza on Monday and there appears to be no ill will between them.
Sandin and Dubas were seen smiling and sharing a laugh while watching the Leafs prepare for Game 1 tomorrow against Tampa. Once he was noticed by the media, he was asked what he was doing in Toronto to which he responded by saying, "to pack my shit."
Once considered a long-term replacement for Morgan Rielly, Sandin struggled to stay in the lineup and the addition of Jake McCabe made it that much more difficult for him to find playing time. Dubas realized there was no room for him and once again did right by the player and sent him to a destination where he would see lots of ice.
