Dahlin - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ Rasmus Dahlin named NHL’s First Star after record-setting week

A record-setting stretch in which Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin extended his season-opening goal streak to five games has earned him NHL First Star honors for the week ending Sunday.

Dahlin, 22, scored in all three games last week and compiled five points and a plus-5 rating, helping the Sabres open their four-game road trip 3-0-0.

In last Tuesday’s 4-2 win over the Edmonton Oilers, Dahlin became the first NHL defenseman since the Tampa Bay ... Read the full article

Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin scores another goal, sets NHL record

Right now, you might be watching Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin take his first steps into superstardom.

Dahlin, 22, scored again in Thursday’s 6-3 road win over the Calgary Flames, slipping into the slot and beating goalie Jacob Markstrom 10:49 into the game.

In putting the Sabres up 2-1, the Swede made history, becoming the first NHL defenseman to score a goal in each of his team’s first four games to start a season.... Read the full article

Sabres, Panthers plant seeds of fierce rivalry in heated early-season game

BUFFALO – If you’re wondering, following Saturday afternoon’s entertaining 4-3 loss to Matthew Tkachuk and the Florida Panthers, the Sabres don’t play their budding Atlantic Division rival again until Jan. 16.

That three-month wait is too long for coach Don Granato, who loves the grit and tenacity the Sabres displayed while refusing to back down to the Panthers, one of the NHL’s heavyweights.

Saturday’s heated affair at KeyBank Center looked more like a late-season contest ... Read the full article

Craig Anderson dynamic in Sabres’ win: ‘Amazing to think he’s 41’

BUFFALO – After making some breakaway saves during the first 40 minutes of Thursday’s 4-1 win, 41-year-old Sabres goalie Craig Anderson said he told his teammates he usually stops 80 percent of those chances.

“So I’ve stopped four, the fifth one’s probably going in, so we should probably clean that up,” Anderson joked following his splendid 35-save performance in the season-opening victory over the Ottawa Senators.

Kidding aside, the NHL’s youngest team showcased maturity as ... Read the full article

Sabres don’t see Mattias Samuelsson’s contract as risky: ‘He is the antidote’

BUFFALO – The sample size is small, just 54 games over parts of two NHL seasons. Still, it was enough to convince the Sabres that defenseman Mattias Samuelsson deserved a seven-year, $30 million contract extension.

The massive deal, announced Wednesday shortly after the Sabres extended coach Don Granato’s contract, certainly raised some eyebrows.

But the Sabres don’t feel it’s a risky move. In the 6-foot-4, 227-pound Samuelsson, a top-pair defender, they believe they possess a ... Read the full article

Sabres excited to add JJ Peterka, Jack Quinn to roster: ‘They will acclimate’

BUFFALO – Sabres rookie JJ Peterka stood before the media in his sweat-soaked practice uniform, a smile etched on his face.

On Monday, general manager Kevyn Adams called Peterka, 20, and Jack Quinn, 21, and informed them they had earned a spot in the Sabres’ opening night lineup.

Two years ago, after drafting Quinn eighth overall, Adams moved up to take Peterka with the 34th pick after the German surprisingly fell out of ... Read the full article

Captain Kyle Okposo helped Sabres transform culture, grow close

BUFFALO – Coach Don Granato acknowledged the Sabres could’ve named Kyle Okposo their new captain long before Saturday. But in waiting, fans could get to know the team, watch it develop and understand the 16-year veteran’s influence on the group.

“Everybody now has seen enough of Kyle to realize that this is the right move for our organization,” Granato said following Monday’s practice at LECOM Harborcenter. “That I’m real proud of. It’s not like we ... Read the full article

Confident Rasmus Asplund wants to create more offense for Sabres

BUFFALO – From his perch above the ice last spring at Nokia Arena, Sabres coach Don Granato proudly watched Rasmus Asplund’s exploits for Team Sweden.

Asplund, 24, carried the confidence he generated during his first full NHL season into the World Championship, seizing a starring role in Tampere, Finland.

Over two weeks, he morphed into a first-line winger and his country’s most utilized forward, scoring six goals in eight games.... Read the full article

Sabres name Kyle Okposo 20th full-time captain in franchise history

As expected, the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday named veteran winger Kyle Okposo the 20th full-time captain in franchise history.

The team also announced veteran forward Zemgus Girgensons and defenseman Rasmus Dahlin will serve as alternate captains.

Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams announced the new leadership group Saturday at a team function.... Read the full article

Lawrence Pilut, Chase Priskie and other D help Sabres upgrade depth

BUFFALO – The Sabres have likely known for months which seven defensemen will comprise their opening night roster.

Jacob Bryson, Rasmus Dahlin, Henri Jokiharju, Casey Fitzgerald, Owen Power and Mattias Samuelsson entrenched themselves on the blue line last season. In signing Ilya Lyubushkin in free agency, the Sabres added a gritty veteran presence they lacked.

But what about the rest of the defense corps? Given the rugged nature of the position, defensemen are always at ... Read the full article