03 Sep 2022 06:08:36
Nils Lundkvist (RHD), 22 years old, wants out of the Rangers organization.
Rasmus Sandin (LHD), 22 years old, appears to not want to remain a Leafs any longer.

Lundkvist doesn't see opportunity with the Rangers.
Sandin doesn't see opportunity with the Leafs.

Would a straight up, one for one trade make sense for both teams?

03 Sep 2022 12:15:40
Interesting idea, but I don't see how it solves anything for the Leafs or Sandin's issue. Do the Leafs really need another smallish, not very physical puck mover on D, even if he is an RD? I think the Leafs have enough of those. How does Sandin get a chance in NY? They have Miller, Lindgren, Jones and Hajek already on the left side with Robertson developing. I don't see how this really works for either team, especially when considering NYR would still have to sign Sandin and only have $1M left in cap space and they have no room for him on the team.

04 Sep 2022 02:22:28
I was thinking that none of Miller, Lindgren, kJones or Hajek are positively penciled in as Rangers 3rd pairing LHD so Sandin would have the opportunity to battle for the position.
An opportunity not available with the Leafs having Reilly, Muzzin & Giordano filling those positions.
For the Leafs, after Brodie we have only Liljegren in his second season and Holl in his final season as RHD.
Lundkvist would be a welcome addition to a defense that only has Niemala as a RHD in their prospect pool.
Thus, I felt Lundkvist would be a far more valuable asset to the Leafs than Sandin.

04 Sep 2022 14:19:33
@WB. Miller and Lindgren are pretty much locks for top 4 LD and have been the past two seasons. Leaves Sandin fighting for 3rd pair, which I agree he may win. Both Hajek and Jones makes less than a $1M and Sandin will want more than a $1M. There is nowhere for Sandin to move up and as you said, he has second pair potential.

I agree that Lundkvist wouldn't be a bad addition, but is he a necessary addition? Is he the addition the Leafs should be after to fill a need if moving Sandin? Leafs have other smallish RD in the system that move the puck. Just not the type of player the Leafs need imo.

You may be right and Lundkvist becomes a valuable asset. I just see Muzzin and Brodie likely gone in two years or less and Leafs have drafted lots of puck movers and no strong defensive D.

05 Sep 2022 02:10:40
I felt that the only realistic RHD prospect Leafs have is Topi Niemala and he is 2 or 3 years away from being ready for the big dance so Lundkvist perhaps fits the bill as 3rd pairing RHD ahead of Holl.