Toronto Maple Leafs Sandin Trade Hurts Now But Potential Windfall Awaits

The Toronto Maple Leafs defense has rightfully been maligned throughout the offseason. Early season results have done nothing to alleviate the concerns.

Adding to the frustrations of Toronto Maple Leafs fans is seeing a former first-round pick play important minutes for an Eastern Conference rival that currently holds a playoff position.

When the Leafs moved on from restricted free-agent defenseman Rasmus Sandin last February, they did so because as a left-side defender, the acquisition of Jake McCabe left him nowhere to play.

The return was a late first-round pick, something the Leafs had lacked in many recent drafts. It wasn’t considered a needle-moving transaction for either the Leafs or…