‘Dahlin’s potential seems unlimited. The 6-foot-2, 181-pounder has been compared to NHL All-Stars Erik Karlsson of Ottawa and Victor Hedman of Tampa Bay. Nick Lidstrom, in the running with Bobby Orr for best defenseman ever, said Dahlin is better than he was at the same age and likened him to Hockey Hall of Famer Brian Leetch.’
Archives for April 2018
Sabres Notebook: Botterill examines Europe; winning combinations
‘”We know where we’re at as an organization,” Botterill said. “We’re trying to find skill, and we’re trying to find players in a lot of different avenues. We did that with NCAA free agents, and it’s also a scenario where we’ve continued to look over to Europe for different players.”‘
Coveted prospect Rasmus Dahlin will make Sabres relevant again
‘Even with Dahlin penciled in, they still have a lot of holes. They need a proven goalie, more speed on the wings, more defensemen and depth everywhere.’
Sabres notes: Phil Housley likely has ace defenseman in Rasmus Dahlin
‘The Sabres lacked a true No. 1 defenseman – basically, they needed a modern version of Housley – to zoom all over the ice and create offense.’
Buffalo Sabres hope winning lottery is just the start
‘“Hopefully people in Buffalo have been excited the past few days. You look at what (Buffalo Bills general manager) Brandon Beane and his group has accomplished by getting a quarterback (Josh Allen) and having a successful draft. Now, with us winning this lottery and bringing in a really good player in June, hopefully, fans in football and hockey are very excited right now.”’
Our luck is changing
‘Dahlin is exactly what the Sabres need right now. Coach Phil Housley must have been doing hand stands when the Sabres logo was revealed. Dahlin is considered a dynamic two way defenseman with all of the skills necessary to star at the NHL level. Great skater, great speed, tremendous vision, poise with the puck, hard shot from the point, physical player in the D zone and hockey smarts beyond his years. Those are just some of the recently turned 18 year old’s attributes.’
Sabres prep for future with top pick in NHL Draft
‘“It’s good we have the number one overall pick but now it’s up to us to develop him,” he said. “Yeah, he is 18 years old and for him to achieve all his potential we have to put him in the right environment and help him with that process.”‘
Sabres finally celebrate NHL Draft Lottery win
‘Having seen the Sabres miss out on the top pick before, Bandura opted to change things up this time. Rather than have a representative in the room where the lottery order was being determined, he declined the invitation.’
Joy in Sabreland as Buffalo lands top pick in NHL Draft
‘It should change the franchise. It definitely changed the mood of the fan base.’
Mike Harrington: It’s a turnaround moment for a bedraggled franchise
‘More specifically, this is the type of raw talent that will fit perfectly with what coach Phil Housley is trying to do on his attack and on his power play. Dahlin will become a franchise pillar on the blueline. That’s what Botterill & Co. needed to shore up a terrible defense corps. Getting the franchise’s first No. 1 overall since Pierre Turgeon in 1987 will do the trick.’