Talent that cannot be stifled: defenseman completes sixth season in NHL after signing massive contract
Total Season Stats: 20G, 39A | 59 PTS | 66 PIM (81 GP)
Age: 24
Contract Status: Signed through 2032; $11,000,000 AAV
As the most tenured defenseman on the Sabres, Rasmus Dahlin has continued to shine through various obstacles within the franchise, including lackluster coaching (he has now overcome at least two doozies for head coaches – one of which nearly ruined him). The 6’3″ Swede was also forced to adapt to injuries among defensive partners in both Mattias Samuelsson and Owen Power while still remaining a solid leader on the team. This could not have been easy, but he did it with poise.
The alternate captain has certainly had his ups and downs over the years but seemed to find his footing these last two seasons as he played in 78 and then 81 total games, respectively, and gained a ton of confidence not only in his scoring assistance but also his defensive play. This is said knowing that, of course, the team as a whole is far from where it should be (in, you know, the playoffs).
And, if it felt like he became more physical in 2023 and 2024 than in previous years…it is probably because he was. His hits became more memorable, he played with more of an edge, and he kicked it up a notch when the opposition had possession of the puck deep in the Sabres’ zone. Dahlin tallied 154 blocked shots and 195 hits (both career-highs) and also made his way to the NHL All-Stars for the third consecutive year.
At one point nearing the end of the season, Dahlin led the NHL with the most ice time and ended the regular season with an average of 25:25, almost identical to his average from another one of his best seasons: 2022-2023. He also led his entire team in assists and is just an all-around solid player with an incredible work ethic. Speaking of hard work, he also went on a seven-game stretch of 29 minutes in each of those games back in February – the first player to do so since Erik Karlsson during the 2015-2016 season.
After another solid season and with the absence of former captain Kyle Okposo, Dahlin seems like the obvious choice to take his place as team captain come fall.
Season Grade*: A
*Imagine even more greatness with the right coaching.