Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - When talking to Buffalo Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams on Friday, he said he had a good discussion with captain Rasmus Dahlin on the plan going forward, and how they’re going to fix things going forward.
Then came a report on the "Spittin' Chicklets" podcast from former NHLer Paul Bissionette, saying Dahlin told Adams that if things don’t get better, he wants out.
When asked about this, Dahlin was not only caught off guard, but became very angry.
"I don’t know what he’s talking about. I have never said I want out of here," said Dahlin following Tuesday's practice. "I’m not happy where we’re at, I don’t want to lose. We have to get better, but I’ve never said I want out of here. I thought that was pretty clear."
Dahlin's anger continue to build as he went on.
"That bugs me, actually. I get pissed off by that," he said. "I haven’t even mentioned the word 'leave', so that’s just how it is."
Dahlin thinks he’s one of the reasons they aren’t winning, but confirmed, again, that he’s in it for the long haul in Buffalo.
"I haven’t played good enough. We haven’t won games. I take responsibility too, but stuff has to change. That’s the bottom line," Dahlin said.
When asked about his meeting with Adams, about what has to happen to turn this around, Dahlin says there were a number of items brought up.
"We have to do a lot of stuff, but it takes every day work," he said. "We had a really good discussion, we were very honest with each other, and stuff has to change. That’s how it is, and I absolutely hate losing. That’s not a part of who I want to be."
Dahlin has his own goals that he has set for the team from now until the end of the season.
"We have to build. We have to get better every single day," Dahlin detailed. "Each individual has to get better, and we have to play a better team game. I thought yesterday was a good game in the right direction. We were playing solid, we didn’t try stuff at the end of the game, we were playing to win. That’s how you have to play to be able to win."
Dahlin fully believes that the players in the locker room are in the fight together, and that’s why he believes it can get better.
"The guys are willing to do whatever it takes to get better," Dahlin said. "We have had a lot of discussion lately of what we have to do, and how we have to move forward. We’re definitely not happy where we’re at."
At Tuesday's practice, JJ Peterka and Jason Zucker weren’t on the ice for Buffalo. Head coach Lindy Ruff says Peterka has been nursing an injury.
"Peterka’s dealing with a lower-body, and we’ll have more information," said Ruff after practice.
"It’s been something that’s been lingering. He missed practice, had it looked at, and we’ll find out where it’s at."
Ruff is not sure, at this point, if Peterka will play Wednesday in Detroit against the Red Wings.
As for Zucker, he was given a maintenance day.
TUESDAY’S LINES:
Kulich – Norris – Thompson
Benson – Krebs – Quinn
Rosen – McLeod – Tuch
Malenstyn – Greenway – Lafferty
Dunne