Capitals got it right with Rasmus Sandin

While the Washington Capitals didn't spend at the trade deadline one of their stock ups was extending the contract of Rasmus Sandin for five years worth $23 million with a $4.6 million AAV. He turned 24 the day after his extension on March 7 and has recorded 20 points with three goals and 17 assists in 56 games this season.

Among Caps blue liners, Sandin is second on the team in goals, assists and points and third in blocked shots with 88. He also ranks second on the Caps in ice time per game at 21:18 which marks a single season career high for the five foot 11, 189 pound defenseman.

Sandin has been hot in his last 25 games, seucring his bag with 14 points (three goals and 11 assists). He recorded an assist and a career best plus four plus minus rating on Feb. 20 against the New Jersey Devils.

Per the game notes, Sandin ranks tied for first among Washington defensemen in goals with six since making his Capitals debut on March 4, 2023. He also ranked second in games played with 75, assists with 29, points with 35, power play points with nine and ice time per game at 21:44.

Last night in the 7-2 loss to Edmonton, Sandin was on the second pairing with Nick Jensen as the Capitals welcomed back Martin Fehervary up top with John Carlson. The defense was rounded out by Trevor van Riemsdyk and Ethan Bear.

Don't get me wrong, seeing Evgeny Kuznetsov leave this year was rough. So was seeing Dmitry Orlov and Garnet Hathaway exit stage south and north. But the Caps getting Sandin from the Maple Leafs was one heck of a fleece by Brian MacLellan. We'll see if it pays off over the next five years.