What can Rasmus Sandin do to level up?

Next up on our Washington Capitals player predictions is Rasmus Sandin. He’s one of those key players on the defense that you need to watch. He was acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for Erik Gustafsson.

Sandin had three goals and 12 assists for 15 points in 19 games since that trade. He got hurt after the season in the IIHF Worlds tournament but Brian MacLellan said in June that it wasn’t serious.

It’s been all systems go ever since for the 23 year old defenseman who is expected to be lining up on the top pair with John Carlson. That pairing could be vital in his development.

Carlson is already the team’s top defenseman. He has to be. Big money and a long time on the team will do that. But he isn’t getting any younger. Sandin will someday be that top defenseman and if Carlson begins regressing it could come as early as this season.

The two of them together could pack a one two punch. Carlson is known for his offense. Sandin has a two way game. One could help boost their offense and the other can help with their defense.

While Sandin isn’t the team’s newest defenseman, he’s still the second newest. The team’s newest one Joel Edmundson is missing some time. Four to six weeks exactly with a fractured hand.

We know Sandin will be one of five defenseman to make the opening night lineup. But who will be number six? That position is now up for grabs in the remainder of training camp. While the Caps figure that out, it’s important now more than ever for the main blue liners, Sandin included, to establish themselves as shutdown guys.

So my prediction for Sandin, who will be in the lineup tomorrow night when the Capitals take on the Detroit Red Wings, is that he will finish with 10 goals and 30 assists for 40 points. I imagine a pairing with Carlson will help open up his offense.