Dahlin is taking a leave of absence to return to Sweden

[mjd1001]

5 minutes ago, Eleven said:

My bet is that his performance will continue to be fine.  Not peak Dahlin, but just fine.

Do you mean continue as he always has been in previous years? Or continue to be what he was early this year. Because early this year, he wasn't 'fine', he was pretty bad at times:

-This year one goal in 14 games, where he usually scores a goal at a rate of one every 4-5 games

- a -11 through 14 games ( a 'pace' of about -60)  The last 3 years, he was a +20 combined over 3 seasons.

-5.43 giveaways per 60, when he normally averages about 2 giveaways per 60.

-about 30% less takeaways per 60 than his average over the last 3 seasons

-My 2 favorite analytics are expected goals for vs against, and actual goals for vs against.  His xgf%is down 3 points. His actual goals is down almost 15%

-And as many have pointed out on this forum, he is making several bad plays, noticable via the 'eye test' every game.

You want him to be who he is, and he is more talented than anyone else on defense on this team, but his overall play/production, so far this year, actually has been pretty bad.

[Eleven]

1 minute ago, mjd1001 said:

Do you mean continue as he always has been in previous years? Or continue to be what he was early this year. Because early this year, he wasn't 'fine', he was pretty bad at times:

-This year one goal in 14 games, where he usually scores a goal at a rate of one every 4-5 games

- a -11 through 14 games ( a 'pace' of about -60)  The last 3 years, he was a +20 combined over 3 seasons.

-5.43 giveaways per 60, when he normally averages about 2 giveaways per 60.

-about 30% less takeaways per 60 than his average over the last 3 seasons

-My 2 favorite analytics are expected goals for vs against, and actual goals for vs against.  His xgf%is down 3 points. His actual goals is down almost 15%

-And as many have pointed out on this forum, he is making several bad plays, noticable via the 'eye test' every game.

You want him to be who he is, and he is more talented than anyone else on defense on this team, but his overall play/production, so far this year, actually has been pretty bad.

He was fine earlier this year.

He was stellar in other years.

My benchmark isn't Dahlin himself; it is the average NHL D-man.

[K-9]

22 minutes ago, Eleven said:

My bet is that his performance will continue to be fine.  Not peak Dahlin, but just fine.

Well, he has certainly looked distracted at times this season. More than I remember him being in the past anyway. Perhaps I’m seeing things and unfairly projecting this baggage onto him. 

[LGR4GM]

1 hour ago, K-9 said:

I’m not sure how any victory laps by you or anyone else would be in order as I don’t think anyone came close to suggesting Dahlin wasn’t coming back; just that it’s easy to see how he might decide not to for a while. If Carolina cannot travel for a year and frequent follow-up appointments are required in the first year after the procedure, is it unreasonable to think that Dahlin may choose to remain by her side until she is deemed medically in the clear? 

... 

[LGR4GM]

On 11/7/2025 at 2:00 PM, Goldseatsaud said:

Going home and retire probably mentally tired of the Sabres BS as well

 

On 11/8/2025 at 1:05 PM, PASabreFan said:

What happened had to be life-altering. "Life is short." He might be coming at this from a decidedly unAmerican cultural perspective. Maybe he's not interested in grabbing every last dollar. He's made a fortune. If he or his fianceé does not want to live in this country ... and you don't need a wild imagination to envision that, especially given that many Americans feel the same way right now ... maybe Ras says, hey, I fulfilled my dream and made a lot of money, but being home is most important. They play hockey in Sweden, I heard. The hockey wasteland that is Buffalo would surely play into this scenario.

Am I wrong to speculate? Then you all are wrong, too. The only official reason we have is "tending to a personal matter."

 

On 11/8/2025 at 9:31 PM, gilbert11 said:

I would not be surprised if he decides family is more important, leaves the NHL and plays in Sweden.

 

On 11/8/2025 at 10:00 PM, Goldseatsaud said:

I think he is done. Take the money and run

 

On 11/10/2025 at 10:24 AM, inkman said:

Im sure he’s just staying in shape.  Nothing to see here. 👀 If I was him, I’d make the change permanent but I doubt we’ll be so lucky.  

 

6 hours ago, Eleven said:

There are a lot of things more important than money.

That said, I still think he'll "commute" periodically.

Too bad work-from-home doesn't work in hockey!

I mean... here's 6ppl suggesting he's not coming back in various degrees of seriousness.

Edited 48 minutes ago by LGR4GM

[pi2000]

His fiance is in Sweden?    

Woulda thought she'd be in Buffalo with him... that is, unless her medical condition precluded here from travelling after the heart transplant.

[COSabreFan]

5 minutes ago, pi2000 said:

His fiance is in Sweden?    

Woulda thought she'd be in Buffalo with him... that is, unless her medical condition precluded here from travelling after the heart transplant.

Can’t travel for minimum 1 year after a transplant.

[PerreaultForever]

17 minutes ago, pi2000 said:

His fiance is in Sweden?    

Woulda thought she'd be in Buffalo with him... that is, unless her medical condition precluded here from travelling after the heart transplant.

Or they felt the hospitals in Sweden were better, and of course she likely has family there for her support. 

I would be pretty surprised if Dahlin was not a return to Sweden guy when he retires.