Maple Leafs Top Prospect Frustrated With Lack of Playing Time

The Toronto Maple Leafs are off to a fantastic 7-2-1 start and currently sit atop the North division, 10 games into the season. Their roster is as deep as ever and especially on defense where the team has sometimes dressed seven defensemen, just to get everyone some ice-time. 

Everyone except top prospect and former first-round pick, Rasmus Sandin.

The Leafs have been busy rotating Travis Dermott and Mikko Lehtonen but have yet to give Sandin a look this season. In 2019-20 he appeared in 28 games, recording eight points and has currently been called up from the team's taxi-squad to essentially practice with the big club this week as the Leafs don't play until Thursday against the Vancouver Canucks.

Sandin met with the media on Monday, and had this to say about his situation:

It's obviously a little frustrating. 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. Whenever I get the chance I'll be ready.

Sandin joked during training camp that not even William Nylander could handle him with his progress this offseason and it's expected he will be a big part of the team's future. While their depth is certainly a luxury, Dermott's name has surfaced in several trade reports, and Sandin is a big reason why.

Photo credit: Ric Tapia/Icon Sportswire 

Sheldon Keefe on Rasmus Sandin: He’s got to remain patient and take advantage of every day he has with the NHL team. pic.twitter.com/SorEz4c2Vi

— David Alter (@dalter) February 1, 2021