‘The problem for Dahlin is consistency, and that’s an issue for most NHL D-men. But he now earns $6 million per season – second on the Sabres only to forward Jeff Skinner ($9 million) – and with that salary comes the expectation he’ll be a positive force at both ends of the ice. As Buffalo attempts to get back into the playoff picture in the Atlantic Division, they need him to be an anchor, and any regression by him almost certainly will hamper the Sabres’ competitiveness.’