Buffalo Sabres’ defenseman Rasmus Dahlin scored his first NHL goal, Saturday night against the Arizona Coyotes.
The Sabres drafted the 18-year-old Swede number one overall in the 2018 NHL draft. Dahlin scored off of a pinpoint feed from former Hurricane Jeff Skinner 2:45 into the first period.
Video
After taking a pass from Dahlin, Skinner made a silky move at the blue line and out-waited Coyotes’ goaltender Anti Raanta. Dahlin, who skated hard to the net, finished the play by depositing the puck into the yawning net.
Here’s another look.
Dahlin is the youngest defenseman in Sabres history to score a goal.
Rasmus Dahlin becomes the youngest defenceman in #Sabres history to score a goal
— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) October 14, 2018
Dahlin is a once in a generation defensive talent, and he is the keystone piece for the Sabres’ plans to finish rebuilding. Sabres’ captain Jack Eichel gave the 18-year-old high praise, comparing Dahlin to Hall of Fame defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom.
“What I’ve noticed is how effortless it is for him,” Eichel said. “How smooth he is, catching a pass and shooting the puck. He reminds me of (Nicklas) Lidstrom a little bit.
“It’s a crazy comparison,” he continued. “But (Dahlin) isn’t physical, and he gets his stick on a lot of pucks and reads the play well. To me, it’s about how he sees everything.”
Dahlin put up 7 goals and 13 assists in 41 games for Frölunda HC in the SHL last season. The defenseman led silver-medalist Sweden in scoring with six points at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Ice Hockey Championships at the age of 17.
The Sabres are currently leading the Coyotes 2-0 after the first period. Dahlin, Eichel, Skinner, and a young core have a lot of people picking the Sabres as a team to watch out for this season. After years of suffering, the rebuild in Buffalo may well be over.
Congrats, @rasmusdahlin00. pic.twitter.com/cRRbuKzM5Q
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) October 14, 2018
That first @NHL goal feeling. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/ksYfHVRC9G
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) October 14, 2018
Headline photo: Buffalo Sabres
