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Buffalo Sabres: Predicting Rasmus Dahlin’s season

By Zach Jezioro

TORONTO, ON - APRIL 12: Rasmus Dahlin #26 of the Buffalo Sabres waits for play to resume against the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on April 12, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Sabres defeated the Maple Leafs 5-2. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - APRIL 12: Rasmus Dahlin #26 of the Buffalo Sabres waits for play to resume against the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on April 12, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Sabres defeated the Maple Leafs 5-2. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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Rasmus Dahlin was a revelation for the Buffalo Sabres in 2021-22. In 2022-23, he will look to transform into one of the NHL’s best defensemen. 

After starting out slow last season, Rasmus Dahlin finally found his game during the second half of the season. According to Hockey Reference, Dahlin finished the 2021-2022 season with 13 goals and 40 assists in 80 games played.

As mentioned earlier, he found his stride as the season went along and looked like the player fans were hoping to get when he was drafted in 2018. It’s a new season and there’s a sense of positive energy surrounding the Buffalo Sabres for the first time in a long time. Dahlin is just one of the few players that are going to be of the cornerstones of the franchise going forward. With that being said, what will Dahlin’s season look like?

In this article, I’m going to try and predict his season. Whether it’s stats or individual awards, I will try my best and predict them.

Rasmus Dahlin may set new career-highs in Year 5 with the Buffalo Sabres

I think Rasmus can reach 15-20 goals this season. If he was able to reach 13 last year, he can definitely reach 15. 20 goals is realistic as well. I’m not sure if he can get Cale Makar numbers but 15-20 is a good range.

For assists, I think he takes off. He will finish the season with 50-60 assists. He started out slow last season but really caught fire as the year went along. If he can play a good brand of hockey, Dahlin will have a fantastic breakout season. 60 might be too high but I can see him landing around the 50 mark.

Here’s a somewhat bold prediction, Dahlin will be in the running for the Norris Trophy. The league is stacked with good defenders such as Makar, Victor Hedman, Roman Josi, just to name a few. I personally don’t think he’ll win the award but I can see him being in the running for it.

Related Story. Did Rasmus Dahlin get a fair ranking?. light

It’s safe to say I have high expectations for Dahlin but I truly do believe this will be the year he takes off. He was drafted first overall for a reason and the 2022-2023 season will show Sabres fans why he’s worth the hype.

(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)

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