The real reason behind Sandin's contract extension delay until training camp was deeply personal. He revealed, "What people don't know is that my mom got sick in the beginning of 2022. She got cancer. She had some serious surgeries. We had a really tough time as a family that summer." As a result, Sandin chose to stay home and support his mother during this challenging period. Both he and the Leafs organization understood his priorities, even though the public remained unaware.
Emphasizing the importance of family, Sandin stated, "For me, family comes first. My head wasn't in hockey to go back to Toronto to sign a contract (in June)." His commitment to his mother during her cancer battle was the driving force behind his decision.