Keefe calls out Sandin for his slow start compared to Liljegren, who has looked great despite missing more time
Leafs defenseman Rasmus Sandin missed most of training camp while in a contract dispute, that ultimately ended in him signing the contract the Leafs offered him months prior. As always, for players that miss training camp, there was a grace period given at the start of the season for him to get up to game speed. According to Sheldon Keefe, that time has now passed.
Fellow Leafs defender Timothy Liljegren missed all of training camp and the first month of the season recovering from hernia surgery. Keefe pointed out that Liljegren has not struggled to the same level that Sandin has, even with Sandin having played more games. Fair point by the coach. Liljegren has looked great since returning, while Sandin has certainly struggled.
His struggles were magnified by a dreadful turnover just inside the Leafs' zone against Pittsburgh the other night when he whiffed on a pass that was picked off by Sidney Crosby and immediately put in behind Matt Murray. After the game-day skate today, Keefe was asked about Sandin's struggles, to which he responded by saying, "It hasn't come together for him yet. He has more to give. He's low on confidence at this time. We need to help him get back to being himself."
Former Leaf Frank Corrado touched on Sandin's confidence on the "Leafs Morning Talk" podcast yesterday saying that he has put immense pressure on himself because of the summer he had, holding out for a bigger contract and producing the narrative that he should be a top 4 guy. Sandin just needs to get back to the basics and what got him to where he was before his injury last season. Once he is able to do that and settle down internally, he will be able to perform much better.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 17 | 116 ANSWERS Keefe calls out Sandin for his slow start compared to Liljegren, who has looked great despite missing more time Should Rasmus Sandin sit one game in the press box as a bit of a reset? | ||
| Yes | 77 | 66.4 % |
| No | 39 | 33.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
