The Buffalo Sabres have officially signed Rasmus Dahlin.
The team announced Monday morning that they’ve signed their first-overall draft pick to a three-year, entry-level contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Dahlin will make his NHL debut later this year when the 2018-19 NHL season kicks off.
It’s certainly an exciting time for Sabres fans as the Swedish defenseman prepares for his North American debut. Dahlin is just the third first-overall pick by the Sabres in franchise history, joining the ranks of storied players Gilbert Perreault and Pierre Turgeon.
And look who was at his side when he signed…
Gilbert Perreault! #LetsGoBuffalo pic.twitter.com/9V73igUfHF
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) July 9, 2018
Dahlin has spent the last few years playing professionally in the SHL in Sweden. This past season, he put up 20 points, including seven goals – tied for fourth among all league defensemen – in just 41 games.
He also won silver at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championships in Buffalo, where he accrued six assists and a plus-7 rating with an average of 23:08 in ice time. His efforts earned him the title of Best Defenseman as well as a spot on the All-Star Team.
Historically, he also represented his country at the World Juniors in 2017, at the age of just 16, and played in the 2018 Olympics in PyeongChang.
Dahlin’s signing is not unexpected, but it is certainly welcomed, as it is the next step in his journey to the NHL.
At the Sabres’ recent development camp, Dahlin was impressed by the city of Buffalo and its fans, but he also impressed quite a few, too.
“To get a player like we got, it’s really important for our city and Western New York. It gives a little hope that we got a first pick overall,” said head coach Phil Housley.
Dahlin will wear number 26 with the Sabres this coming season.