The NHL’s 2025-26 season is almost here, and here at THN.com’s Buffalo Sabres site, we’ve just kicked off a series that analyzes each Sabres player and the expectations they’ll be facing next season. All of them as a group have one singular goal – ending Buffalo’s Stanley Cup playoff drought at 14 years – but as individuals, there are different things they’ll need to deal with.
Some of that is due to the money they’re making, and some of that is due to the level of their skill. But we’re intrigued by looking at the Sabres’ roster player-by-player, and see if we can’t paint a macro picture regarding the nuances of Buffalo’s predicament.
The 25-year-old Swede faces a huge amount of pressure to lead this team into the Stanley Cup playoffs, because another year without playoff hockey may cause Dahlin to seek employment elsewhere – and it may cause the Sabres to oblige him.
We began the series with looks at Buffalo’s goaltending: first, with this look at Sabres presumptive starting goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen; then, we looked at newcomer goalie Alex Lyon, and most recently, we looked at youngster Devon Levi. And today, we’re starting our look at the Sabres’ defense corps – beginning with the most talented, highest-paid player and most crucial D-man, captain Rasmus Dahlin.
Player Name: Rasmus Dahlin
Position: Defenseman
Age: 25
2024-25 Key Statistics: 73 games, 51 assists, 68 points, 46 even-strength points, 24:14 average time-on-ice
2025-26 Salary:$11-million
2025-26 Expectations: After a sub-par season in 2023-24, Dahlin clapped back last season, returning to his impressive numbers from 2022-23. One interesting fact – Dahlin was still a minute-muncher, but his average time-on-ice was down a full minute, from 25:25 in 2023-24 to 24:15 this past season.
Sabres coach Lindy Ruff gave Dahlin a couple fewer shifts per night, but given that Buffalo’s defense corps is relatively deep – with youngsters Owen Power and Bowen Byram not yet close to their peak – Dahlin should be utilized a little less, as he’d be fresher at the end of the year if and when the Sabres qualify for the playoffs.
That’s a very big ‘if’, of course. There have been baseless rumors in the past about Dahlin’s commitment to the Sabres, but even if he did feel ready to move on, could you really blame him? Dahlin has played seven full years for the Sabres, and in that span, the highest Buffalo has finished in the division is fifth – and even then, that came back in 2021-22 and 2022-23. The past two seasons have been a step back for the Sabres, and it would be only human for Dahlin or anyone else to grow exhausted with the losing.
Sabres 2025-26 Player Expectations: Young Goalie Levi Must Show He Can Take Next Step, Establish Himself At NHL LevelThe NHL’s 2025-26 season is nearly upon us, and at THN.com’s Buffalo Sabres site, we’re examining each Buffalo player and the expectations on them next year. Each Sabres player has the pressure to get this Buffalo team into the playoffs for the first time in 15 years, but every player’s outlook is at least a little bit different.
Dahlin’s contract runs for another seven seasons at a team-high $11-million. He also has a full no-move clause in each year of his deal, but Dahlin might be more than willing to waive the clause if it meant going to an organization with a proven track record of winning, and if Buffalo can't figure out a way to finally get things right.
If that sounds unfair to the Sabres, you should know that it’s unfair *of* the Sabres to expect to keep talent around when you can’t even get to the playoffs, let alone grow into a legitimate Cup threat. It’s really just human nature for elite athletes to strive to succeed, and you can only take so many fruitless swings at the plate before you start looking for a different ballpark to play in.
Dahlin is going to be showcased by his native Swedish team at the upcoming Winter Olympics, but the bigger measuring stick for him must be how far he can lead the Sabres this year. As Buffalo’s captain, he has to be responsible for things, be they good or bad. And that can also grate on the nerves when you can’t get into the win column more often than not.
Sabres 2025-26 Player Expectations: Newcomer Lyon Signed To Serve In Supporting Role In NetThe NHL’s 2025-26 season is just around the corner, and here at THN.com’s Buffalo Sabres site, we’ve committed to analyzing every Sabres player and the expectations on them next season. Every Buffalo player has the pressure to get this Sabres team into the playoffs for the first time in a decade-and-a-half, but every player’s outlook is at least a little bit different.
When it comes to time-on-ice, Dahlin will continue to lead all Sabres skaters in 2025-26. And if he stays healthy, a season where he challenges his current career-best single-season point total of 73. Much is expected of him, but if he can have a positive impact at both ends of the rink, Dahlin could help provide the breakthrough season Buffalo fans have ached for, and start this Sabres franchise down a path where fans can legitimately be excited to see the team night-in and night-out.
The future for Dahlin remains bright, but he has to be part of a playoff win sooner than later. Otherwise, bigger changes for him and the entire Sabres roster could be coming.