Babcock praises Sandin's preseason play: 'He seems ready'

Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Rasmus Sandin appears to be in head coach Mike Babcock's good books with the preseason winding down.

The rookie rearguard suited up for his final audition Friday night in Detroit and drew praise from his bench boss following the 4-3 shootout victory.

"You try to do the right thing for his development, you try to do the right thing for our team to win," Babcock said, according to TSN's Kristen Shilton. "We've been talking about it all through camp. It doesn't appear to me (age) seems to be a problem. He seems ready."

"I thought Sandman was really solid, one of the best players in the game for sure," Babcock added. "Played real hard, real smart, just makes good plays. Good opportunity for him to be important, and he was."

Sandin led all skaters in ice time Friday night with 30:35. He didn't record a point but finished with two assists in four preseason contests. He isn't expected to suit up in the Leafs' final tuneup Saturday night.

Toronto drafted Sandin 29th overall in 2018. He spent last season with the AHL's Toronto Marlies, racking up 28 points in 44 games.

The Maple Leafs begin their regular season Wednesday night versus the Ottawa Senators.