Buffalo Sabres: Rasmus Dahlin is the Team MVP this season

Every NHL franchise needs to have a Team MVP award, and for the 2021-22 Buffalo Sabres the honor goes to defenseman Rasmus Dahlin. 

The Buffalo Sabres have seen many early-round draft picks either fail to live to expectations or skip town entirely. Just a season ago, Rasmus Dahlin appeared to be headed for the muck pile. He had just 23 points in 56 games while logging a career-low 4.3 shooting percentage.

Dahlin was also reckless with the puck, turning it over 36 times while creating just 13 takeaways in 56 games. While he can still stand to fare better in this department, Dahlin’s 27 takeaways and 49 giveaways in 76 games is an improvement, especially the former.

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin is the Team MVP

Dahlin, the top pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, solidified his draft status this season, having notched 50 points in 76 games. A two-way player, Dahlin ranks in the top 15 among NHL defensemen in several scoring categories, including points and goals.

He logged a career-best 7.0 shooting percentage, nearly a two-percent increase from his previous high of 5.1% in 2018-19. He is also averaging over two more minutes of ice time (23:59) than at any other point in his career.

However, Dahlin’s defense is every bit as good as his offense, if not better. His 118 hits show he’s developing into a more physical player. He also logged 86 blocks, averaging over one per game for the first time in his career.

And what’s amazing is, Dahlin, who earned a trip to the NHL All-Star Game this season, accomplished most of the above at age 21. He turned 22 on April 13th and he has a lot of hockey to go.

Dahlin is also in a different situation from previous Buffalo Sabres who ended up skipping town. The Sabres have gotten younger all over the board and built a solid nucleus. Indicating that, barring a meltdown with management, Dahlin will be in town for quite some time.

(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)