Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) – Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin started Wednesday’s game in Philadelphia against the Flyers with a neck guard. It didn’t last long, though, as he wound up taking it off.
This all comes with a spotlight on the use of neck guards around the hockey world following the unfortunate death of former NHLer Adam Johnson while playing a game in England last weekend.
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Dahlin wore a neck guard right up to the point where he became a member of the Sabres in 2018. He says it was too uncomfortable to continue playing with it.
"It started off with just knowing what’s going on, and it’s super sad what happened," said Dahlin following Thursday's practice. "I tried it out, and it’s too bad that I tried it out for the first time during a game. It didn’t last that long, but for sure I want to use it. I want someone to develop a nice breathable neck guard, and in the future, it’s going to be a must."
Dahlin says in Sweden, neck guards are required in their pro leagues too.
It seems like both Dahlin and Casey Mittelstadt are interested in neck guards, but not until they’re improved.
"It was very warm, and I felt very uncomfortable using it," Dahlin admitted. "Hopefully someone develops something nicer in the near future."
Sabres head coach Don Granato is always concerned about safety in the game of hockey and for his players.
"I would love that there would be a solution for neck protection for the players," said Granato on Thursday. "It’s not to the point where all of these guys are saying, 'Here’s a solution, it doesn’t affect how I feel or what I do,' because all of the protection, to this point, the players feel different ways with this on. It doesn’t feel comfortable, otherwise they’d all be wearing it. I think while the hockey world is trying to figure that out, meaning the technology behind that, which they are and I know the league is, I’d love to see the players wear it."
Sabres winger Alex Tuch missed Thursday's practice due to a maintenance day.
Here's how Thursday’s lines looked:
Forwards:
Greenway – Thompson – Biro
Skinner – Mittelstadt – Peterka
Girgensons – Krebs – Okposo
Jost – Cozens – Olofsson
Defense:
Dahlin – Samuelsson
Power – Jokiharju
Clifton – Johnson
Bryson
