Rasmus Sandin absent from practice on deadline day
A pair of new faces were at Leafs practice today as defenders, Teemu Kivihalme and Joseph Duszak were called up from the Toronto Marlies. What is so special about a couple of Marlies joining the Leafs at practice? Well, on the surface, nothing. But once the realization set in that neither Ondrej Kase nor Rasmus Sandin was on the ice at practice, some eyebrows were raised.
Kase was absent for obvious reasons, as he took an elbow to the head on Saturday night and had his bell rung in a bad way. Kase went down to the ice limp for a moment and was unable to make it back to his feet under his own power. He made his way to the Leafs' bench by just pushing off with one leg while on his hands and knees and needed to be helped down the tunnel by a pair of Leafs trainers.
Sandin was the mystery. There was some speculation that perhaps he was behind held back due to some potential trade discussions that he my have been involved in, but it was quickly revealed that that was not the case and that Sandin may have suffered an injury on Saturday as well.
TSN's Bob McKenzie speculated today that if Sandin and Kase are for an extended period of time, they may be placed on LTIR, giving the Buds more roster and cap flexibility to put to use at the deadline. McKenzie also revealed that Sandin's injury could be a knee injury and that it's not of the day-to-day variety. Could be longer term.
Although the Leafs went out and got Mark Giordano yesterday, GM Kyle Dubas may not be done in the trade market. Jake Muzzin is progressing well but still out with a concussion and now with Sandin's injury the Leafs may look to add more depth on the back end.
| POLL | ||
MARS 21 | 161 ANSWERS Rasmus Sandin absent from practice on deadline day Will Sandin return before the end of the season or is he bound for LTIR? | ||
| LTIR | 81 | 50.3 % |
| He'll be back | 80 | 49.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
