NHL Network named Buffalo Sabres Captain Rasmus Dahlin the best player born since the year 2000. Once again, the 2018 first overall draft selection finds himself in select company.
Dahlin was born on April 13th,2000. The talented blueliner has played in 509 National Hockey League games recording 83 goals and 277 assists. Previously, NHL Network recognized the 6-foot-3 Swede on its top 20 list of current NHL defensemen. The Sabre ranked seventh.
In 2024-25 , the gifted blueliner scored 17 goals and added 51 assists in his first season as team captain in Buffalo. He anchors a Sabres defense which also boasts former first overall entry draft selection Owen Power and 2022 Stanley Cup Champion Bowen Byram. In addition to his contributions to the Sabres lineup, Dahlin represented team Sweden at the 2025 Four Nations tournament. The February showcase featured NHL stars from Canada, Finland, the United States, and Sweden.
Dahlin already chosen for 2026 Olympics
The Swedish Ice Hockey Federation already chose Dahlin for the national team at the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympic games in Milano-Cortina Italy. With each passing year, the gifted defenseman gains recognition among the best players in the world.
At age 25, the best is yet to come. His prime year still lay ahead. As the 2025-26 NHL campaign approaches, Dahlin will be the cornerstone piece of the solution in Buffalo. If and when the Sabres return to the Stanley Cup playoffs, Dahlin will be at the forefront.
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