Rasmus Dahlin was named captain of the Buffalo Sabers on Thursday.
The 24-year-old defenseman replaces Kyle Okposo, who served as captain for two seasons before being traded to the Florida Panthers on March 8.
Dahlin signed an eight-year, $88 million contract extension with the Sabers on October 9, 2023. This contract takes effect this season.
Selected with the first overall pick in the 2018 NHL Draft, Dahlin was the first Swedish-born player to be drafted first overall since 1989, when the Quebec Nordiques selected Mats Sundin. Dahlin collected 44 points (nine goals, 35 assists) in 82 games in his rookie season before being named a finalist for the Calder Trophy, awarded to the NHL’s rookie of the year.
Dahlin scored 59 points, including a personal NHL mark of 20 goals, in 81 games last season. He finished fifth in the NHL playing 25:25 per game, and tied for third among defensemen in goals.
Dahlin leads Buffalo in games played (436), assists (226), points (292), power play points (123), hits (670) and blocked shots (539) since his arrival in the NHL six years ago. He also scored 66 goals during this period.
An alternate captain for each of the last two seasons, Dahlin is the first defenseman to be named captain of the Sabers since Craig Rivet, who wore the “C” between 2008 and 2011.
The Sabres, who have not qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs since 2011, will open the regular season against the New Jersey Devils in Prague in the 2024 NHL Global Series presented by Fastenal, the 4 and October 5.
There are now only two teams left without a captain in the NHL: the Seattle Kraken and the Utah Hockey Club.
