The NHL Network ranked Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin as the 18th best at the position. Did they give him a fair ranking?
Rasmus Dahlin represented the Buffalo Sabres in the 2022 NHL All-Star Game in what was a renaissance of a year for the young defenseman. Under head coach Phil Housley, Dahlin enjoyed an outstanding rookie season only to take a step back when Ralph Krueger manned the show from 2019-20 until halfway through the 2020-21 season.
Upon Don Granato’s taking over at the helm, Dahlin’s prowess as a two-way player shined, with 53 points, 13 goals, 40 assists, and a career high 7.6 shooting percentage. He also recorded 121 hits and 91 blocks. And he did all of this while being tasked with taking over as the leader of the defensive unit following the Rasmus Ristolainen trade.
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin cracked the Top 20 in the NHL Network’s top defensemen. But should he have been higher?
Make no mistake, I am elated to see Dahlin in the Top 20. But there were a few names listed that I felt he should have ranked higher than. Moritz Seider, the eighth pick in the 2019 Draft is one player who ranked way too highly at #11. And while Seider is a great hockey player, he needs multiple good seasons before breaking into the Top 20.
Some may say that Dahlin also has only one good year, but that is not true. His rookie season warranted a third place finish for the Calder and a spot on the All-Rookie Team. Seider, however, would be a shoo-in for the Top 20 if his output continues at a high level.
It’s no question Dahlin was a workhorse for the Sabres, with over 24 minutes of average time on ice. And I’m also not questioning the sheer talent that Shea Theodore has. But he is another name that surprised me to be ranked ahead of Dahlin.
While Theodore ranks higher in possession metrics, they have steadily declined over the past three seasons, indicating the Vegas Golden Knights are less effective as a unit when he is on the ice. His 52 points were impressive, but that’s about all Theodore had over Dahlin last season.
Dahlin also had Theodore beaten in offensive zone start percentage by 3%. This further shows how much more effective Dahlin has been while on the ice. Even more astounding is the fact that, even during his subpar seasons, Dahlin’s offensive zone starting numbers were still similar to Theodore’s.
At the very least, Dahlin’s 18th ranking is great, but he could have ranked higher, at least in the Top 15. Seider and Theodore ranked higher than they needed to rank, and they are just two of a few players Dahlin should have passed.
(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)