As captain Rasmus Dahlin finds his voice, Sabres find their footing

Credit: Oct 12, 2024; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin (26) during the third period against the Florida Panthers at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images

The Buffalo Sabres have had high expectations for themselves for years now. There are no more excuses for missing the playoffs 13 consecutive seasons.

For Rasmus Dahlin, who is now in his seventh NHL campaign, there has been a ton of learning in the early parts of this season. Not only is he learning about the fourth head coach he’s had in seven years, but he’s also finding out new things about himself each day as this is his first year donning the “C” for the Sabres. Being the captain of an NHL team is one of the biggest privileges in sports, but some challenges come with it, especially for a 24-year-old who hails from another continent.

But what is it about Dahlin that’s so infectious?

“His passion for the game — everything about him is putting the team first,” Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff told Daily Faceoff. “When he goes on the ice, he tries to make a difference and I think that’s all you can expect.”

His coach isn’t the only one who can feel or see the passion. Some of his teammates have seen Dahlin grow into not only a leader by example, but a guy who knows when to say the right things as well.

“He’s a shit captain,” center Tage Thompson joked. “No, he’s unreal, he’s been a leader ever since he got on our team, even when he was 18. He’s so hungry to win, so competitive — he wants to be the best player on the ice at all times. He’s one of those guys who when he was younger just led by example and everyone followed him into the fight — but now he has a little more of a vocal side to him. When he says something in the locker room, guys perk up and listen. He holds a lot of respect from everyone in here just on how hard he competes every night. His talent level is off the charts. That’s a guy that everyone in this room would go to battle for any day of the week.”

Thompson mentioned Dahlin’s newfound vocal side, but for Dahlin himself, that part has still been an adjustment. Dahlin has always been an intense competitor, but off the ice has a pretty relaxed personality. He’s still trying to find the balance between the two.

“I learn new things every day,” he said. “I’m in the early stage of my captaincy, so I’m trying to be myself, that’s the main thing. I’m just trying to enjoy every day and not get too uptight. I always keep telling myself to ‘Be yourself.’ I’m a loose guy; I don’t want to be uptight, but sometimes you need it. I’m a competitive guy in games, but off the ice, I just try to be myself.”

“He does a great job at keeping it real loose and fun in the locker room, but when it’s time to dial it in, he can flip that switch and get into the intensity that we need,” Thompson said. “I think it’s been a really good balance and that’s not very easy for guys to switch back and forth between. I feel like he’s got a really good gauge of the room — when it needs to be a little lighter and when it needs to be more stern and he’s great at it.”

After losing four of their first five games, the Sabres have started to turn things around a bit, winning five of their last eight games. With that said, they have found a new gear this week, winning back-to-back games and pummelling the Ottawa Senators and New York Rangers by a combined score of 11-2.

It’s not a secret that this group is aware of the demon that’s been growing over the last 13 years, but behind the leadership of Dahlin — they’re hungry to end the longest playoff drought in professional sports.

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As captain Rasmus Dahlin finds his voice, Sabres find their footing

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