Buffalo Sabres: Revisiting Dahlin’s quest for the Norris Trophy
By Sion Fawkes
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin did something no other defenseman in NHL history has accomplished to open up the 2022-23 season.
When your defenseman scores five goals in five games, you know you have one special player capable of accomplishing anything. And as for Rasmus Dahlin, becoming the first defenseman in league history to score not three, not four, BUT FIVE goals in each game to open the season is something seen in legend. At least until it becomes real life.
But if you think Dahlin’s eight points (5+3) in five games is remarkable, it’s just the tip of a much larger iceberg. Sure, Dahlin’s +8 in the controversial plus-minus stat is also nice, but it’s far from what is steadily transforming the star defenseman into a favorite to win the Norris Trophy this season.
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin is a true Norris contender
This year, Dahlin already has 12 blocks, which equals 2.4 blocks per game, putting him on pace for 197 this season. As with his goal-scoring success, I highly doubt Dahlin will keep up with this pace. But that doesn’t mean he won’t still put up All-Star numbers in the categories.
With eight hits, he’s on pace to hit a reachable 132 this season, and he’s also well on track to secure a career-best in shooting percentage (currently 27.8%), and average time on ice (currently 24:26). But these statistics aren’t the only ones worth looking at when it comes to how strong of an all-around player Dahlin is.
His Corse For% at even strength is just a paltry 45.9%, meaning the Sabres are facing a ton of shots while he’s on the ice. His Fenwick For% sits at 51.3%, and his offensive zone staring percentage is a meager 31.3%.
As for on-ice save percentage? 96.6%. Remarkable when you realize that Craig Anderson’s and Eric Comrie’s respective save percentages are in the mid-90s, but they are higher with Dahlin on the ice.
This shows me that, while the Buffalo Sabres are often getting clobbered possession-wise, that Dahlin’s presence, in correlation to his blocks and on-ice save percentage, is disrupting opposing plays. While I stated the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames played the Sabres well and seemed to have the puck forever, perhaps Dahlin’s presence is what played a pivotal role in keeping the puck out of the net?
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And since most possession metrics at even strength are low, and even his current metrics on the power play are at a career low, it also shows that, offensively, he’s taking advantage of the few opportunities coming his way. That means Dahlin is one great hockey player. Worthy of the Norris? If he keeps this up, I would say most definitely.
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Article Source: Dahlin named NHL’s 1st Star of the Week by Chris Ryndak
(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)