Maple Leafs reportedly reconsidering sending Sandin to World Juniors

The Toronto Maple Leafs suffered a significant blow to their blue line on Saturday night against the Edmonton Oilers after Tyson Barrie left the game with an ankle injury.

Barrie blocked a shot midway through the first period and went straight to the dressing room. The 28-year-old tested out his ankle during the first intermission, but was unable to continue.

How long Barrie will be out is still uncertain, but according to Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston, Toronto will revisit the possibility of recalling young defenceman Rasmus Sandin to fill-in for the injured Barrie, instead of sending him to the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.

Sandin played six games for the Leafs at the beginning of the season — where he netted two assists — but has been with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies since, where he has put up 12 points in 17 games as the youngest player on the team.

If given the opportunity to go to the tournament hosted in the Czech Republic, he would instantly make Sweden a tournament favourite.

The Leafs released Sandin to last year’s tournament, where he was able to shine on the Swedish blue line, scoring two goals and two assists through five games before his country was eliminated in the quarterfinals.

With forward Trevor Moore nearing his return off of LTIR and the incoming cap crunch, there is no doubt that GM Kyle Dubas will have his work cut out for him managing his team’s roster.

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