Maple Leafs' Sandin: Failure to crack lineup 'a little frustrating'

Rasmus Sandin skated in 28 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs as a 19-year-old rookie last season, but he's yet to play in a contest this year.

"It's obviously a little frustrating," he said Monday, according to TSN's Kristen Shilton. "It was a very long time ago that I played a game. But we're hanging in there, having fun in practice. Great to be back with the guys."

Following an injury to Jake Muzzin in the postseason, the Maple Leafs opted to roll with veteran Martin Marincin instead of Sandin. That means the young blue-liner hasn't played a competitive game since March 10, 2020.

Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said the team is "sensitive" to the fact Sandin hasn't cracked the lineup yet.

"We've tried to prioritize with him using this time ... to learn what's necessary to be an everyday NHL player," Keefe said. "There is some growth to be had there. We have no doubt he's going to be an everyday NHLer."

Sandin said before the campaign that he bulked up in the offseason and that teammate William Nylander couldn't "even handle me on the ice."

However, Keefe said Sandin is still "maturing his body" in the gym and not just working on his skills.

The Maple Leafs selected Sandin 29th overall at the 2018 draft. He collected eight points in 28 games last season while averaging 14:19 of ice time per contest. His 48.7% expected goals share at five-on-five last season ranked eighth out of the team's nine defensemen to play in at least 10 games.

Toronto lost Tyson Barrie and Cody Ceci to free agency in the offseason, but its blue line is much deeper thanks to the additions of TJ Brodie, Zach Bogosian, and Mikko Lehtonen.

"Whenever I get the chance I'll be ready," Sandin said.