Babcock makes blunt statement about rushing Sandin into Leafs' lineup

The Toronto Maple Leafs just experienced their worst week of the season: they bookended last week with four-goal losses to the NHL’s best team the Tampa Bay Lightning and its worst Ottawa Senators, while going a collective 1-3-0 and allowing 23 goals against.

While head coach Mike Babcock is looking at solutions to boost his players and modify his lineup, he is sure about one thing. There is no way he wants to rush a star prospect into the lineup because of blue line woes. Long-term injuries to Jake Gardiner (back) and Travis Dermott (shoulder) have caught up to the Leafs and weakened their play in the defensive zone. It even got NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman wondering if the Leafs should rush Rasmus Sandin into the formation. 

However, Babcock told TSN's Kristen Shilton on Monday after practice that it does not look to be the best approach for the team or the prospect. The 19-year-old blue liner has tallied 11 points in his last seven games with the AHL's Marlies. 

“Let’s not get in our own way because we’re feeling a little tension,” said Babcock of respecting Sandin’s development. “Forget that. We have good players here. Dig in and play good.”

While it is frustrating for the Leafs and their fanbase to be losing so many important points in the last stretch of the regular calendar, it is good to know a young player like Sandin won't be rushed into NHL action. After all, he is a very promising prospect moving forward, but too many times we have seen players being rushed into the big league and losing their confidence. 

The kid is too much of a good thing for Toronto's future, and we all know never to rush a good thing, especially one like Sandin.