Keefe breaks his silence on Rasmus Sandin's absence, reveals that he's getting in his own way right now

With Timothy Liljegren out a minimum of 6 weeks after undergoing hernia surgery, there is at least one spot in the top six open. Additionally, Jake Muzzin looks as though he will be having an in-and-out of the lineup season given he has already missed all of camp with back issues. That could leave two spots open come opening night, but for now, those spots are going to Jordie Benn and Victor Mete.

Today after practice, Keefe spoke about Sandin's absence and missed opportunity. Keefe stated that "It goes without saying, there would be tremendous opportunity" for Sandin to move up the lineup given the injuries already.

At this point, Sandin is only hurting himself and each day of camp he misses, the further he falls behind Benn and Mete on the depth chart. Some believed the reports that Sandin was concerned about where he would find ice time, but given the injuries already, and the opportunity being ripe for the picking, this holdout appears to be more about the money than the opportunity.