In a stunning move that has sent shockwaves through the hockey world, the Buffalo Sabres have named Rasmus Dahlin as their captain for the upcoming 2024-25 season. The young defenseman will be taking over the role previously held by Kyle Okposo, who was traded to the Florida Panthers last season.
General manager Kevyn Adams expressed his confidence in Dahlin’s leadership abilities, stating, “Rasmus sets the tone for our team each and every day with how he prepares and competes. He is respected by his teammates and coaches, both for his actions at the rink and his commitment to our Western New York community. We are so proud to have a player and person of Rasmus’ caliber wear the “C” and lead our team into the future.”
Dahlin’s performance on the ice speaks for itself, as he finished tied for team scoring last season with 20 goals and 59 points in 81 games. His 59 points also ranked him 10th in the league among defensemen. Since being drafted first overall in 2018, Dahlin has amassed an impressive 66 goals and 292 points in 436 career games.
Head coach Lindy Ruff echoed Adams’ sentiments, praising Dahlin for his exceptional work ethic and dedication to winning. Ruff stated, “He does everything right, first and foremost. His on-ice action has been incredible, and I think he’s a guy that leads in every category, from the way he prepares himself to the way he plays and the fact that he’s a guy who cares about winning hockey games.”
At just 24 years old, Dahlin has already made a significant impact on the Sabres organization. He has represented the team at the last three All-Star Games and signed a lucrative eight-year, $88 million extension last October.
Joining Dahlin in the Sabres’ leadership group will be forwards Alex Tuch, Dylan Cozens, Tage Thompson, and defenseman Mattias Samuelson, who will all serve as alternate captains on a rotational basis. With a strong core of leaders in place, the Sabres are poised for success as they look ahead to the upcoming season under the guidance of their new captain, Rasmus Dahlin.
