Rasmus Dahlin is the Buffalo Sabres representative for the 2022 NHL All-Star Game
While Dahlin landed on the Buffalo Sabres‘ COVID-19 list and missed one contest after the test was deemed to be a false-positive, all signs point to him suiting up and playing on Saturday. Dahlin, the first overall pick in the 2018 NHL Draft, has become a household name in the NHL ranks for what is otherwise a struggling hockey team.
A two-way player, Dahlin currently has 28 points on the season, seven goals, 21 assists, and even a game-winning goal. On defense, he has 58 hits to go with 45 blocks, putting him on-pace to shatter his previous career highs.
Breaking down the Buffalo Sabres All-Star defenseman
So, how did Dahlin achieve his first All-Star Game nod? Not only are his skills as a two-way defenseman elite; the 21-year-old displays phenomenal skating ability. He’s agile enough to hang with opponents in one-on-one situations, forcing them to either look elsewhere or, if they try to force the puck, disrupt the play.
While his methodic approach on defense has improved, so has his physical game. He has 58 hits on the year, and he’s especially physical in open ice. Dahlin rushes the puck well, and his impressive stick handling has helped create a respectable handful of takeaways in 2021-22.
When in control of the puck, Dahlin’s short passing game has become one of the league’s best. He takes care of the puck, and doesn’t take big-time risks in passing deep down the ice. He’s also an accurate shooter, and his 7.1 shooting percentage this season is a career-high through 43 games.
He plays the blue line as well as any defender in the NHL, attacking the puck, and breaking up plays. Dahlin has received praise for his two-way ability, and his physicality continues to draw attention from across the league. Get used to seeing Dahlin suit up for future NHL All-Star Games. Sure, the Sabres are struggling again. But at least there’s a bright spot in the KeyBank Center, and more to come given the organization’s nucleus of young talent.
(All statistics courtesy of Hockey-Reference)