Photo Credit: Lehigh Valley Phantoms
Linus Sandin was amongst the league’s highest goal scorers with 19 in the SHL for HV71 in 2019-20, as he finished tied for third in this particular category. This smooth skating Winger in Sandin finished the season with 36 points (19g,17a) in 51 games played for HV71. The 23-year-old Winger in Sandin stands at 6’1 and weighs 209 pounds, and immediately provides much needed size on the wing. Sandin can board battle with the best of them, and that is an area that needs improvement for the up-coming 2021-22 season, especially with losing the services of Wade Allison.
Sandin realistically is battling for the third line winger position that would have been held by Allison most likely if he did not get hurt in rookie camp. There is no doubt Sandin is ready for the challenge, “I want to give it another shot here in North America and chase my dream to play in the best league in the world,” Sandin said at developmental camp. “That’s why I’m here, to try to make the team. I’m glad to join all the guys and be here in Philly.”
He bops and weaves in between defenders, and can out skate just about anyone given his size. This young man has really made a name for himself, as he has hands of Gold after potting goal after goal. He is versatile as Sandin plays in all situations to include the Penalty Kill and Power Play. A great quality that he possesses is he’s an intense competitor, as he tallied six goals and registered four assists in 26 games played for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms last season.
Sandin became comfortable after about a month or so in North America, and he began to hot his stride at the latter parts of the season. He should become a solid Power Forward as Sandin appears to have a knack for the net, “I would say it took a couple of weeks, maybe a month (To get acclimated to the Phantoms),” Sandin said. “Then I felt like comfortable on the ice. I would say a month.”
This young 25-year-old in Sandin is particularly good with zone entries, and this is another area the Flyers struggled with throughout the 2020 Playoffs and last season for that matter.
“Our scouting staff has done an excellent job identifying him as a player who can come into camp and compete for a spot on our team right away. He works extremely hard and we expect him to add size, skill and tenacity to our forward group. Linus is a mature player, he’s developed in Sweden. He’s a good player already in Sweden. He has a lot of pro experience. He’s a player that should certainly have a much shorter runway than the typical 20-year-old kids we’re bringing in.”– Chuck Fletcher said about Linus Sandin after they signed him originally in 2020
Whatever the case maybe for the Flyers and Sandin. Sandin provides strength and durability on the right side, and also bolsters the right-wing position most notably, so don’t forget about him Flyers fans. He is a two-way Power Forward who will be an intriguing piece of the Flyers future moving Forward:
“Yeah, that would be very cool to play in the same league as my brother. Hopefully play against each other. I want to chase my dream and be a part of the Flyers. Coming over to North America last year was a big adjustment, language, the size of the rink, everything like that. This year, I feel more comfortable off and on the ice, so it feels good.” – Linus Sandin
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