On February 28, 2023, the Toronto Maple Leafs traded defenseman Rasmus Sandin to the Washington Capitals in exchange for veteran blueliner Erik Gustafsson and a 2023 first-round pick. The draft pick originally belonged to the Boston Bruins but was acquired by Washington in a previous deal.
Sandin, 22, was a first-round pick by the Leafs in 2018 and had been developing into a solid two-way defenseman. However, with Toronto bolstering its blue line ahead of the playoffs, Sandin became expendable. He joined a Capitals team in transition, getting a bigger role on their defense.
Gustafsson, 30, was in the midst of a strong season with Washington, providing offensive production from the back end. His addition gave the Leafs a reliable veteran presence for their playoff push. The first-round pick added future value for Toronto, helping balance their long-term outlook.
This trade reflected the Leafs’ “win-now” mentality while also allowing Washington to add a young defenseman for their future. Sandin flourished in Washington, recording 15 points in his first 19 games, proving the move beneficial for both s
ides.
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