With the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off culminating this week in Boston, I wanted to do something a little different and combine the 4 Nations idea with the ‘quarter-century teams’ idea, and come up with what an all-time Four Nations team could look like if only Buffalo Sabres players/alumni were included.
Earlier today, we started with Finland. Now, it’s time to move onto Sweden.
Again, I’m taking into consideration first and foremost, how these players performed during their careers – no matter how brief – with the Buffalo Sabres, but also considering their overall performances as pro hockey players in their careers, as unfortunately some players seem to blossom when they leave Buffalo. As you’ll see, some of these players have long since retired, so let’s have some fun and imagine an all-time team even if some of these guys would never have had the chance to play together.
Sweden has a slightly larger pool of Sabres alumni to choose from – 21, as opposed to Finland’s 14 – but it’s still not quite enough to fill out an entire roster (especially when you consider than a whopping seven of those 21 Swedish players are goaltenders!) So, I’m keeping the parameters the same and selecting only a starting lineup: three forwards, two defenders and one goaltender.
Forwards
- Victor Olofsson: drafted by the Sabres 181st overall in 2014; spent six seasons with Buffalo from 2018-2024, with 182 points in 314 games. Has since played with the Vegas Golden Knights, where he has 20 points (11-9) in 35 games this season. Now has 349 NHL games total under his belt at the age of 29.
- Marcus Johansson: played for the Sabres in the 2019-20 season, putting up 30 points (9-21) in 60 games. Also played with Washington, New Jersey, Boston, Minnesota, Seattle, Washington (again!) and Minnesota (again!). Currently with the Wild, where he has 16 points (5-11) in 47 games. Career high was 58 points in 2016-17 with the Caps. Has played 958 regular season NHL games in his career, quickly approaching the 1K mark. Now 34 years old.
- Johan Larsson: Look, I fully admit I was never one of Larsson’s biggest fans when he was in Buffalo. But he fits the bill here as the third forward for Sweden, who – it bears repeating – has a limited pool of forwards to choose from. Played 392 games for the Sabres over seven years from 2013-2020, accruing 97 points (38-59). Also played for Minnesota, Arizona & Washington, with 488 career NHL games over 10 seasons. Now plays with Brynas IF Gavle, where he has 31 points (13-18) in 43 games this season at 32 years old.
Defenders
- Rasmus Dahlin: drafted by Buffalo 1st overall in 2018; has played with the Sabres ever since, with 334 points (73-261) in 482 games over seven seasons. Career best season so far (in terms of point totals) was 2022-23, where he recorded 73 points – including 58 assists – in 78 games. 24 years old.
- Henrik Tallinder: drafted by Buffalo 48th overall in 1997; came to North America in 2001 and joined the Sabres briefly that season through 2010 (with a jaunt overseas during the 2004-05 lockout). Also spent three seasons with New Jersey before returning to Buffalo for his final NHL season in 2013-14. In total, played 678 NHL games (532 with Buffalo) and accrued 142 points (116 with the Sabres). Also played overseas for three years, until retiring in 2018.
Goaltender
- Linus Ullmark: drafted by Buffalo 163rd overall in 2012; played with the Sabres from 2015-2021, including parts of three seasons in Rochester. Has since played with the Boston Bruins & Ottawa Senators, and has really developed well, particularly since leaving Buffalo. Now has 272 NHL games under his belt with a 2.51 GAA and .918 save percentage, including 25 games with Ottawa this season (2.49 GAA and .915 save percentage). Part of Team Sweden for the Four Nations Face-off.