Rasmus Dahlin

Going through three different coaches is rough on any young player, but the transition from one to the next has not been more of a roller coaster ride for anyone on the Buffalo Sabres than it has been for Rasmus Dahlin. He came into the league with all the praise imaginable; drawing comparisons to Nicklas Lidstrom and even Erik Karlsson. By the third year of his career, he lost almost every semblance of himself amidst the Ralph Krueger hire and the progress made by former coach Phil Housley all but vanished. Once Krueger was fired last season and current head coach Don Granato took over, Dahlin seemed to find himself again.

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin had a breakout year during the 2021-22 season, and it may be traced back to head coach Don Granato injecting his All-Star defenseman with a wealth of confidence. Paul Hamilton has more:

BUFFALO – You have to go back 11 years to find the last time the Sabres showcased an offense this exciting and prolific. The Sabres’ next goal will be their 222nd of the season, their highest total since they scored 240 times in 2010-11, the last year they made the playoffs. They also scored 221 goals in 2018-19.

Dahlin had a goal and a shorthanded assist in Thursday's 5-2 win over the Devils. Dahlin assisted on the first goal of the game, scored by Kyle Okposo in the second period. The 2018 first overall pick lit the lamp himself later in the middle frame to stretch Buffalo's lead to 3-0. This was Dahlin's fourth multi-point performance in his last five games, as the talented defenseman's starting to play up to his lofty draft status.

Dahlin had two assists -- one on the power play -- in Sunday's 5-3 win over the Flyers. The Sabres rarely get to play inferior opponents, but that was the case with this weekend's home-and-home against the lowly Flyers, and Dahlin made the most of the opportunity with a pair of multi-point performances. Thanks to six points in his last four games, Dahlin has officially hit the 50-point threshold for the first time in his fourth season.

Dahlin had a goal and a power-play assist in Saturday's 4-3 win over Philadelphia. Dahlin played a pivotal role in Buffalo's four-goal second period. He tied the score at 2-2 with his 11th goal of the season, then assisted on Tage Thompson's power-play game-winner later in the middle frame. After this two-point performance, Dahlin needs just two more points to reach 50 for the first time.

Rasmus Dahlin and Rasmus Asplund each had a goal and an assist, helping the Buffalo Sabres beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-2 on Tuesday night. Tage Thompson, Kyle Okposo and Jeff Skinner also scored for Buffalo (27-37-11). Alex Tuch and Victor Olofsson added two assists apiece. Craig Anderson made 23...

TORONTO – No one understands the lofty expectations and accompanying pressure Buffalo Sabres rookie Owen Power must deal with better than Rasmus Dahlin. Having also been drafted first overall, Dahlin possesses unique insight into the highs and lows and Power, 19, will endure as a young NHL defenseman. “He’s...

Dahlen had a goal and an assist Tuesday in a 5-2 win over the Leafs. His goal came at the 5:44 mark in the third, when he took a pass from Victor Olofsson and fired a shot from just above the bottom of the right circle. Dahlin had gone 11 games without a goal, but he had helped his team with five helpers in that span. Overall, Dahlin has 152 points in 270 games, which ties Rick Hampton for the ninth most by a defender in league history before age 22.

Buffalo Sabres head coach Don Granato joins the Howard and Jeremy show for his weekly segment following the Sabres successful month of March that ends on Wednesday against the Winnipeg Jets. Here is some of what he had to say:

Dahlin posted two assists, five shots on goal, two hits and a plus-2 rating in Monday's 6-5 win over the Blackhawks. Dahlin set up Vinnie Hinostroza and Tage Thompson for goals in the third period, with the latter tally coming on the power play. This was Dahlin's third game in the last five with multiple points (one goal, five assists in that five-game span). The Swedish blueliner is one point shy of matching his career-best total from 2018-19 with nine goals and 34 helpers in 65 outings this season. He's added 144 shots on net, 90 hits, 73 blocked shots, 58 PIM and a minus-19 rating.

Dahlin collected two assists, one on the power play, in Sunday's 5-4 overtime loss to the Rangers. He had a hand in the Sabres' final two tallies, including Jeff Skinner's third-period goal that sent the game to OT. Dahlin has had trouble building much momentum lately, recording three two-point performances over the last 11 games but otherwise coming up empty. The 21-year-old still remains on track for career-best numbers with nine goals and 41 points through 64 contests.