Dahlin - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Rasmus Dahlin performs dynamically in Sabres’ win over Devils: ‘Special player’

Over the last week, Rasmus Dahlin has morphed into a dynamic defenseman again, shaking off three dreadful months to help ignite the Buffalo Sabres.

Dahlin, 20, enjoyed his best night this trying season in Tuesday’s 5-3 win over the New Jersey Devils inside Prudential Center. After tying the game in the second period, he corralled a bouncing puck inside the blue line and deftly created center Casey Mittelstadt’s game-winning power-play goal 10:20 into the third.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Rasmus Dahlin starting to settle down, put struggles in past

BUFFALO – In the last week, Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin has finally settled down and started showcasing a sturdier game under interim coach Don Granato.

Dahlin, whose ghastly minus-34 rating ranks last in the NHL, hasn’t suddenly recaptured his old form. Still, he has looked much more comfortable playing for Granato than he did under Ralph Krueger, who was fired March 17.

Simply playing a calmer, more composed style – Dahlin, 20, has ... Read the full article

Sabres blow three-goal lead, lose in OT to Flyers: ‘This … is embarrassing’

BUFFALO – After 34 days, more than 1,000 minutes of hockey and one coaching change, it appeared the Sabres would finally halt their winless skid Monday.

Instead, they suffered the most gut-wrenching loss of their 18-game streak, blowing a 3-0 third-period lead and falling to the Philadelphia Flyers 4-3 in overtime inside KeyBank Center.

Good grief. What happened late? How did the Sabres suddenly start chasing the game after dominating it for 40 minutes?

“Panic ... Read the full article

Sabres confident Victor Olofsson will overcome struggles: ‘He’ll get there’

Interim Sabres coach Don Granato keeps learning how badly struggling winger Victor Olofsson wants to break out of his season-long funk.

Whether it’s the Swede’s behavior as he prepares for practice or his attentiveness during a conversation or a meeting, Granato said he sees a player “searching for the answer, searching for the direction within himself.”

“Which is great,” Granato said on a Zoom call Tuesday. “And he’ll get there, there’s no doubt in my ... Read the full article

Sabres rookie Dylan Cozens undergoing further evaluations, day to day

BUFFALO – Sabres center Dylan Cozens, who left Thursday’s 5-2 loss after getting hit into the boards, did not practice Friday and is day to day with an upper-body injury, coach Ralph Krueger said.

“We’re still doing further evaluations today,” Krueger said on a Zoom call.

Cozens’ head bit the boards hard and he got up slowly after Pittsburgh Penguins center Zach Aston-Reese hit him 2:27 into the third period. The rookie left the game ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Ralph Krueger says Rasmus Dahlin getting closer to ‘full package’

BUFFALO – Sabres coach Ralph Krueger knows defenseman Rasmus Dahlin allowed the Philadelphia Flyers to score an easy goal in Tuesday’s 5-4 shootout loss.

Dahlin, 20, showcased an alarming lack of awareness early in the second period, never reacting to Scott Laughton, the puck carrier, or Kevin Hayes, his closest opponent.

When Laughton backhanded a pass from the right circle across the slot, Dahlin, who was focused elsewhere, never moved his head. Hayes, meanwhile, ... Read the full article

Fast development earns Sabres’ Dylan Cozens promotion to No. 1 center

For almost two months, the Buffalo Sabres eased rookie Dylan Cozens into the NHL by playing him at right wing instead of center, his natural position.

Cozens, 20, kept seizing his opportunities, moving up the lineup and becoming one coach Ralph Krueger’s most trusted forwards just weeks into his career.

So when the upper-body injury captain Jack Eichel suffered Sunday afternoon kept him from playing Tuesday, instead of promoting a veteran, Krueger tabbed Cozens to ... Read the full article

Why is Sabres’ Rasmus Dahlin playing so poorly this season?

Those brilliant rushes Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin showcased as a teenager – he would grab the puck and start controlling the game, dazzling all over the ice with it – have become a rare occurrence.

These days, Dahlin, 20, never seems to have the puck on his stick. The Swede has struggled most of this season, often looking overwhelmed defensively.

Through 23 games, Dahlin is the NHL’s clubhouse leader, sporting a ghastly, league-worst minus-21 ... Read the full article

Despite slow start, Sabres’ Taylor Hall open to contract extension with Buffalo

When Taylor Hall shocked the hockey world by signing a one-year, $8 million contract with the Sabres, he said he was open to staying in Buffalo on a long-term deal.

Twenty-one games into the season, Hall and the Sabres have struggled mightily.

Hall scored his first goal since opening night in Thursday’s 5-2 loss to the New York Islanders. It was his first even-strength goal this season and just his 13th point. The Sabres, having ... Read the full article

Dylan Cozens’ fight could have lasting effects for Sabres

As Buffalo Sabres rookie Dylan Cozens battled Ryan Lindgren around the New York Rangers net early in the third period, he knew it was time.

A few games ago, Cozens said he decided he wanted to fight. The winger just needed to pick the right spot.

So when the Rangers defenseman asked him to scrap Tuesday, he happily obliged, dropping the gloves for the first time in his 15-game NHL career.

The 6-foot-3 Cozens, 20, ... Read the full article