If Tage Thompson is the face of the Sabres, Rasmus Dahlin is the heart and soul. Dahlin is never afraid to mix it up with opponents, and his imposing size puts him into the ‘play punisher’ category. Overall, players like Dahlin are reasons why teams make the postseason…if the Sabres can just play consistent hockey for 60 minutes at a time.
That said, Dahlin’s not the reason why the Sabres can’t make the playoffs. Instead, it’s the fact that they are incapable of playing 60 minutes of good hockey for long stretches with too many inconsistent players. Still, things would be way, way worse without the star defenseman, so I’ll take encouraging performances from a player who’s been doing a thankless job for the last half-decade.
Dahlin continues to log over 24 minutes per contest. He continues to rack up the body checks, with 101 this past season. He’s going to spend time in the penalty box because of his style of play. And he’s going to lead the locker room for as long as he decides to keep doing that thankless job as the Sabres star defenseman.
Grade: A - Dahlin has the toughest job in the league, being the fearless leader for a hapless hockey team. That’s not an easy gig to have, nor is it the most desirable. Even when you’re lucky enough to play for just one of 32 teams in the NHL.
Rasmus Dahlin’s 2024-25 season was almost as good as ever
While Dahlin didn’t enjoy his best season, he still racked up 17 goals and 68 points. His 51 assists led the Sabres, and only JJ Peterka got close to that mark with 41. For all the Sabres shortcomings in once again allowing more goals than they scored, Dahlin still ended the year with a plus-11, which tied for third on the team.
Dahlin’s only real flaw came with the number of giveaways he committed, which were an eye-popping 105. Not good to hit triple digits in that category, but his ability to put up points and play well in all three zones makes up for that number.
Oh, and he also contributed routinely on the power play, with five goals and 21 points on the man advantage. If he can stay out of the trainer’s room throughout an 82-game season, expect Dahlin to hit the 70-plus-point mark again. Easily.
How could that 2025-26 season look?
It’s only May, so we’re in super-early prediction territory. But 70 points wouldn’t be unrealistic, even if Dahlin wasn’t on the ice for all 82 games. He played in just 73 this past season and still nearly got there.
But I’m looking for another triple digits in body checks and in blocked shots - he got close this past season with 98. Dahlin could also threaten to average 25 minutes per game as the clear-cut No. 1 defenseman in the City of Good Neighbors.
As you probably figured out, I’ve become a fan of Dahlin and will be for as long as he’s in Buffalo. Or, better yet, as long as he doesn’t pull a Jack Eichel. But even if he did, can anyone blame him?
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