Rasmus Dahlin. Photo: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images
NHL Rookies

Dahlin as good as advertised at halfway point: “Going better than I thought”

The kid, unquestionably, is alright.

And that’s underselling it.

Rasmus Dahlin, the No. 1 pick in the 2018 NHL Draft, has come exactly as advertised for the Buffalo Sabres through the opening three-plus months of the season.

“He does some pretty special things out there,” said Sabres teammate Zach Bogosian. “I always joke around and say as his d-partner, I have the best seat in the house.

“As an 18-year-old and what he can do as a defenseman, I know myself breaking into the league at 18 it takes a while. It’s a long learning curve. He’s definitely ahead of that. He’s in a class of his own. I just think you look at what he can do with the puck and how he can slow the game down and speed it up whenever he feels the need to.

“That’s what I think is most impressive about him.”

From post-to-post, Dahlin was the consensus top pick last year.

Suffice to say, he’s the top rookie defenseman in the NHL this year.

“Everyone talks about his maturity and his hockey sense,” Sabres forward Jeff Skinner said.

“I think for a high-end, top of the top players like that I think the game seems a little slower for them, I think. Being an 18-year-old defenseman, that’s pretty rare. That’s a pretty rare combination. For me, his hockey sense goes hand in hand with his maturity. He looks like he’s been in the league longer than he has. The good thing is he’s going to get even better. That’s going to be fun to watch, I think.

“He’s got great skills, obviously. He’s got a good shot. He’s a great skater. He’s the total package physically, I think. There’s a lot of great skaters and a lot of great shots in the league. For him to put it all together and how he handles it with his decision and hockey sense, that’s what stands out the most.”

Dahlin, through 47 games of his NHL career, is second overall and leads all freshmen blueliners with 26 points (five goals, 21 assists). His 21 assists are tops in the rookie class, regardless of position, and his 20:37 of ice time is second only to Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen.

Suffice to say it’s been a seamless transition.

Right?

“It’s been a process,” admitted Dahlin, whose recent five-game point streak (one goal, five assists) matches the longest such run by a 18-year-old defenseman in NHL history.

“It hasn’t gone up all the time. It’s been hard sometimes. But it’s been a fun process. I’ve really enjoyed it.

“I came to a new country, new language, new team. I think everything around hockey has been the biggest adjustment. But now I love hanging around with the boys and I know the language more now.

“On the ice, it is what it is. I know how to play. More off the ice that’s been the biggest challenge.

“It’s been real fun.”

Fun to experience.

Fun to watch.

Dahlin has earned praise for his early-season success from all corners of the hockey world.

San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson has praised Dahlin, saying the Sabres defenseman is ahead of where he was at 18. Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman, the reigning Norris Trophy winner, pegs Dahlin as a difference-maker. New York Islanders coach Barry Trotz has likened Dahlin to Nicklas Lidstrom.

No pressure.


The top trio of the 2018 draft. Photo: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

“I think no matter what the outside pressure is, that comes with being a first overall pick, but no one puts more pressure or expects more of him than him, which is great to see,” said Bogosian, himself selected third overall in the 2008 NHL Draft by the Atlanta Thrashers.

“But he does it quietly, which I think is awesome. I think when you’re really in tune with your game and in tune with yourself you can be honest with yourself. That’s what he is. It’s been great to see.

“He’s handled everything extremely well.”

Which begs the question.

If Dahlin is this impressive at 18, what’s his ceiling at 22?

“And then up until 35 and 36,” asked Skinner. “He’s got a great future ahead of him, I think.

“As smart as he is now and as great his decisions and hockey sense he has now, as he goes around the league he’s going to figure out other people’s tendencies, who he’s out there with…that’s going to play even more into his hands. Again, he’s going to get physically stronger, he’s going to get faster. He’s only 18. He’s got a lot of growth left.

“It’s definitely going to be fun to watch.”

Great praise.

Great start for the likely Calder Trophy nominee, too.

And, potentially, future Norris Trophy candidate.

“I wasn’t really expecting anything,” Dahlin started.

“But now, halfway into the season, it’s going better than I thought.”

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