Sandin feeling 'a lot more comfortable' in 2nd season with Leafs

Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Rasmus Sandin believes time is the biggest factor in him stepping up to be an effective player in his second NHL season.

"I'm just more used to it," Sandin told Sportsnet's Hockey Central. "I just feel a lot more comfortable coming to the rink, stepping on the ice. I'm a year older, I've gained a lot of muscle on my body. And I just know a bit more how everything works and it's been going well here the first couple games."

Sandin was sidelined most of the season due to a broken foot but has played in Toronto's last six games after Zach Bogosian suffered a shoulder injury. Sandin's taken the opportunity in stride, posting three assists along with a plus-6 rating and 61.84% expected goals rate at five-on-five in mostly third-pairing minutes.

Toronto head coach Sheldon Keefe is encouraged by the 21-year-old's development and said recently Sandin will feature prominently in the Leafs' lineup through the rest of the regular season. Whether he cracks the playoff roster remains to be seen.

The Leafs drafted Sandin 29th overall in 2019.

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