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The continuing decision to not insert Sandin is a head-scratcher. Lehtonen has looked uncomfortable in games to the point that Keefe had to resort to saying the 27-year-old had his “best practice” with the Leafs on Friday, even though the workout was relatively short.
Lehtonen, the free-agent signing, has been handed a long leash. Sandin, the Leafs’ 2018 first-round pick and one of their top prospects, has no leash at all. You would think the longer his absence goes, the harder it will be for him to make a positive impression once he gets in.
The role of spectator can’t be doing much good for Sandin’s development, never mind his confidence. He has not played in a game since March 10, two days before the coronavirus pandemic caused the NHL to close its doors.
“I was reminding him that we haven’t forgotten who Rasmus is and we know what he can bring,” Keefe said. “His time will come. He just has to remain patient as we go through this.”
FOURTH A FORCE
Keefe won’t make a change to his fourth line, keeping the trio of Jason Spezza, Travis Boyd and Nic Petan intact.
The line was strong in all three zones on Thursday and clicked nicely on Spezza’s second goal.
“They created a lot, they had the puck a lot,” Keefe said. “They carried the play, they won shifts, changed in the offensive zone and set up the next line really well.
“My message to them is (Thursday) was a game where most things went our way. The games are going to be more difficult and there’s other areas in the game that they will be challenged on, and that’s where we want to see that detail, the competitiveness, the physicality, all those things brought out in that type of environment.”
