In the bustling city of Buffalo, New York, a young and determined Rasmus Dahlin was not content to spend yet another offseason working out alone in his native Sweden. No, the Buffalo defenseman had bigger plans in mind. He wanted to bring his teammates together for a weeklong minicamp and bonding session, set against the stunning backdrop of the Swiss Alps in July.
“Usually, I never see anyone during the summer,” Dahlin reflected. “So it was good to meet my teammates when it’s no pressure, no games involved. Just hang out.”
And so it was that Dahlin extended the invitation to his fellow Sabres, and they flocked to Switzerland for a week of training, team-building, and good old-fashioned fun. They skated together on the ice, dined together, boated on Lake Geneva, and even attempted a round of golf – with questionable results, according to goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.
But beyond the activities and the picturesque scenery of Lausanne, the minicamp provided a much-needed opportunity for the Sabres to connect on a deeper level. Many of the players in attendance were Europeans, with defensemen Owen Power and Mattias Samuelsson making the trek from North America to join their teammates.
“You really got to know the real person, not the in-season person, which is different,” Dahlin mused.
For Dahlin, the event marked a significant milestone in his development as a leader on the team. Now in his seventh year with the Sabres, he is eager to put an end to the NHL-record 13-year playoff drought that has plagued the franchise.
“He took charge right away,” noted forward JJ Peterka of Dahlin’s leadership during the minicamp. “I think Ras really took the next step and took the whole team under his wing.”
As the Sabres gear up for the upcoming season, they face the important task of naming a new captain, following the departure of Kyle Okposo in a trade to Florida earlier this year. With his tenure and leadership qualities, Dahlin is widely considered the frontrunner for the coveted title, though the team has yet to set a timeline for the official announcement.
In Buffalo, the future looks bright under the guidance of Rasmus Dahlin, as he leads his teammates with determination and a fiercely competitive spirit. The Sabres are ready to defy the odds and make their mark on the ice, all under the watchful eye of their potential new captain.
