Maple Leafs trade Sandin to Capitals for Gustafsson, 1st-rounder

The Washington Capitals acquired defenseman Rasmus Sandin from the Toronto Maple Leafs for blue-liner Erik Gustafsson and a 2023 first-round pick, the teams announced Tuesday.

The first-round selection that Washington is sending was initially acquired from the Boston Bruins in the Dmitry Orlov trade.

Toronto selected Sandin 29th overall in 2019. The 22-year-old has posted 20 points in 52 games this season. He's signed through 2023-24 at a $1.4-million cap hit and will then be a restricted free agent.

Gustafsson has registered 38 points in 61 games with the Capitals this campaign. He carries an $800,000 cap hit and will reach unrestricted free agency at season's end.

The 30-year-old journeyman has proven to be an excellent power-play quarterback throughout his seven-year NHL career. His best season came in 2018-19 with the Chicago Blackhawks when he posted 60 points in 79 games. Toronto will be his sixth NHL stop if the club doesn't flip him before Friday.

The deal saves the Maple Leafs $1 million in cap space.

It marks the third significant move made by Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas over the last couple weeks. He landed Ryan O'Reilly and Noel Acciari from the St. Louis Blues on Feb. 17, then Jake McCabe and Sam Lafferty from the Blackhawks on Monday. Sandin was the first notable player to be moved off the active roster.

Dubas may not be done, either.

The feeling and sentiment around the industry is that the #leafs have more moves coming.

- Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) February 28, 2023

The trade deadline is Friday at 3 p.m. ET.

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