Buffalo Sabres’ Rasmus Dahlin to play for Atlantic Division in NHL All-Star game

Rasmus Dahlin was announced in Atlantic Division’s team for the NHL All-Star game. The 3-on-3 event will be held in Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, February 5. 

Also read: Houston Texans fire head coach David Culley: Report

Dahlin, who plays for the Buffalo Sabres, will be up against some of the best in the league when he debuts in the All-Star. The 21-year-old defenseman was first overall by the team in 2018. 

After being benched for most of his initial seasons with the Sabres, Dahlin began to perform well under former coach Ralph Krueger. 

Also read: Fiorentina beats Napoli to reach Italian Cup quarters

However, he struggled throughout the 2020-21 season . 

The 21-year-old came back strong under coach Don Granato. Going into Sabres’ game on Thursday, he had scored six goals and 22 points in 35 games. He was on pace for career highs in goals (14), assists (38) and points (52), and could become the first Sabres defenseman since Alexei Zhitnik in 1997-98 to reach the 15-goal plateau.

Also read: In pics: China scrambles to contain COVID as Olympic games near

“I haven’t really thought about that. It’s a dream. I mean, I have no clue, so we’ll see what happens. But it’s nothing I really focus on,” Dahlin said when asked about the possibility of an all-star nod on Wednesday. 

Also read: Premier League transfers: Newcastle sign Chris Wood, Lucas Digne joins Villa

“I always knew he was a (heck) of a player, but it’s fun to get to know him as a person, see how his life is outside the rink, too,” said fellow Sabres defenseman Robert Hagg.

“His personality on the ice, too, he’s a competitive guy, he wants to win every single battle. He’s kind of the same thing outside the rink, too. If you do something, he wants to win. … I have only positive things to say about Dahls as a human being and as a player. He’s an unbelievable player, as you guys have seen here.”