Buffalo solidified a pillar of the core for an emerging contention window today. This was by signing number one defenseman Rasmus Dahlin to an eight-year extension valued at $11 million per season. The Rasmus Dahlin extension will go a ways to solidifying to Sabres’ blueline.
Across the regular season, Dahlin emerged as one of the NHL’s best defenders. He posted 73 total points in 78 games by the season’s bitter-sweet conclusion. With this new contract, Dahlin will rank among the most expensive players in the NHL at the expiry of his current six million dollar deal, at a value that would currently tie him for eleventh alongside four other talents valued at the same average annual value.
Rasmus Dahlin Extension Signed by Buffalo
In recent seasons, Dahlin’s consistency has considerably improved, massively increasing his performance value in-context of his artistic high-end skill. After multiple seasons of restrictive and inherently limiting systems, Dahlin has flourished under the guise of Sabres coach Don Granato. His modern offensive philosophy is far more compatible with Dahlin. The blueliner is one of the NHL’s top skaters, with impressive lower-body mobility and overall body awareness. This enables his deceptive qualities in all zones. Dahlin is particularly excellent in employing hip fakes and should fakes across any area of the ice. He can do this by drawing and redirecting pressure away from lanes. This allows for attuned rush play and net attacking modes while simultaneously reaching created space with the added ability to execute passes at an illustrious rate.
Throughout all three zones, Dahlin maintains a high work rate, ensuring excellence across all areas of the game and establishing himself as one of the NHL’s premier defensive cornerstones. While eight-year deals are inherently risky for any player and any club (especially at the value designated for Dahlin), confidence in Dahlin’s ability only continues to ascend, with his performance across the last season and age indicating significant sustainability and perhaps a boisterous prime for Dahlin. Indeed, Dahlin is a hallmark defender with the strength to serve as the foundation of a future Sabres defence, which, if appropriately built around the brilliancy of Dahlin, has the capacity to accelerate the Sabres into elite contention status and perhaps, a set of Stanley Cup opportunities.
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