Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) - The Buffalo Sabres announced on Monday a new contract extension for defenseman Rasmus Dahlin, who signed an eight-year deal with an average annual value of $11 million per-season starting next season.
Dahlin was drafted first overall by the Sabres in the 2018 NHL Draft. In his five years since being drafted, Dahlin has played 355 games, accounting for 233 points (46+187). The Swedish defenseman has also been selected to the NHL All-Star game twice in his career.
Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams spoke with the assembled media on Monday following the signing. He spoke on the type of player Dahlin has matured into, and believes he will have a huge impact on the team for several years to come.
"Rasmus Dahlin has a high character, high work ethic. All the things that we look for off the ice too, in terms of what are they doing to help themselves become better every day," said Adams before Monday's practice. "When you have the talent he has, and then you have the other things, in my mind, it was just a matter of time before Rasmus broke through and became the world class player he is."
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Since taking over as general manager, Adams has made it a point to build up a good foundation for a young Sabres team. He says this contract sends a positive message to other current and potential future members of the Sabres.
"What we're trying to get across to Rasmus and to others that we negotiate with, we're also trying to build a team around the player and give ourselves the opportunity to be set up for sustainable success," Adams said. "That's critical, because I don't look at one player, one contract. I'm trying to think about this in terms of in totality, and how we build this moving forward."
Along with potential future signings, this extension for Dahlin helps the Sabres keep the same core in tact for years to come. Adams says it's good for the organization to develop structure.
"Nobody knows exactly where the salary cap's gonna go, but the more certainty you have of where your salaries are structured and how you're building your team gives you more opportunity to either add from the outside or internally," he said. "For Rasmus to make the commitment to us, and us to make the commitment to him for eight years, it really helps us in terms of our planning."
Hear more from Adams' press conference with the media on Monday available in the player below:
