Rasmus Sandin
Position: D
Current Team: Rögle BK
Date of Birth: March 7, 2000
Hometown: Uppsala, Sweden
Height: 5‘11”
Weight: 190
Shoots: Left
2017-18 Stats
Rögle BK
5 GP/1 G/1 A/2 PTS/0 PIM
Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
51 GP/12 G/33 A/45 PTS/24 PIMS
Sweden U18
5 GP/0 G/3 A/3 PTS/2 PIM
Not to be confused with consensus overall first pick Rasmus Dahlin, likely heading to the Buffalo Sabres in June’s NHL draft, Rasmus Sandin is today’s focus here on The Cannon.
Similar to Dahlin, Sandin is an 18-year-old Swedish defenseman.
During the 2017-18 season, he was loaned to the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, where he scored 45 points (12 goals, 33 assists), second among defenseman for the team, and another 13 points (1-12) in the playoffs.
Sandin was ranked 34th overall on TSN Insider Bob Mckenzie’s big board last January, and at that time, the 15th defenseman in the upcoming NHL Entry Draft. The more recent NHL Draft Prospect Rankings list him at 11 among North American skaters, up from a midterm rank of 15.
Here’s what’s being said about Sandin from around the hockey world.
DobberProspects, Peter Harling
“A late comer to the OHL, but he has been an impact player to the Soo since his arrival and as a result has been a steady draft riser that played his way into the Top Prospects Game. Sandin moves the puck well and is smooth with the puck carrying it up ice. Sandin plays big minutes and consistently makes good decisions with the puck.”
Sandin is a gifted two-way defenseman…a skilled puckhandler who has the confidence to attempt long stretch passes up the middle of the ice or to skate it himself…his hands are an asset in corralling the puck off a hard pass or making a slick deke…although a decent skater with adequate speed, his edgework isn’t as crisp as it could be and it affects him when moving laterally or changing directions…lowering his center of gravity and using longer leg pushes in each stride could also increase his speed…he isn’t afraid to carry the puck through the neutral zone himself, and is shifty and creative with the puck on his stick…strong at fending off forecheckers in his own zone, as he can outwait physical contact and absorb a hit before skating the puck out of trouble or dishing it to a teammate…he has very good defensive awareness, particularly when switching checks or choosing when to pressure opponents below the goal line…not afraid to play the body to close off an opponent along the boards…has some impressive potential as a puck-mover who can also be effective in his own zone. (July 2017)
Sandin may not become a franchise defenseman at the NHL level, but with proper time and patience, he can be an effective top-four player, who contributes in all situations. Since his deal is a loan, it is unclear if he will be back in the OHL next season, or back with Rogle BK. In any event, he needs two or three years of development before he’s ready for the NHL. His game is reminiscent of Jake Muzzin but this is purely a stylistic comparison and does not include ability or potential.
Erik Karlsson, Victor Hedman and now Dahlin. Are you ready for the next franchise-changing defenceman from Sweden?