Capitals Acquire Rasmus Sandin

Per Elliotte Friedman, the Caps are making moves again, this time swapping out blueliners:

Rasmus Sandin is a 22-year-old defenseman on an entry-level deal and is currently signed through next season.

Here’s JFresh on the new guy:

Confirmed by the team:

The Washington Capitals have acquired defenseman Rasmus Sandin from the Toronto Maple Leafs for defenseman Erik Gustafsson and Boston’s first-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today.

Sandin, 22, has recorded 20 points (4g, 16a) in 52 games with Toronto this season. Sandin has posted a +10 plus/minus rating and a 53.9 shot attempt percentage at five-on-five (823 shot attempts for, 702 shot attempts against), the second-highest rate among Maple Leafs defensemen. In addition, the Uppsala, Sweden native ranks second among Toronto defensemen in hits (113) and tied for second in goals. In 140 career NHL games, Sandin has recorded 48 points (10g, 38a). The 5’11”, 182-pound defenseman was originally selected by the Maple Leafs in the first round, 29th overall, in the 2018 NHL Draft.

Internationally, Sandin has represented Sweden at the 2019 and 2020 World Junior Championships, earning a bronze medal in 2020. Sandin recorded 10 points (3g, 7a) in seven games during the 2020 tournament, which led all defensemen and was named the tournament’s top defenseman.

Gustafsson, 30, recorded 38 points (7g, 31a) in 61 games with Washington this season. Gustafsson, who signed with Washington as a free agent on July 13, 2022, has registered 187 points (39g, 148a) in 370 career games with the Capitals, Chicago Blackhawks, Montreal Canadiens, Philadelphia Flyers and Calgary Flames.