Dahlin is a finalist for the Norris Trophy

Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) - On Thursday the National Hockey League announced that Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin is one of the three finalists for the Norris Trophy. No Sabre has ever won the Norris and only Jim Schoenfeld has ever been named a finalist. That was back in 1979-80.

Dahlin was sixth amongst defensemen in scoring with 19 goals and 55 assists for 74 points. He said he’s honored to be considered,

“It means a lot, I’ve been grinding for a lot of years and finally the team had success and when the team is having success, you usually get individual success too, so it’s unreal, it’s cool.”

Lindy Ruff couldn’t be happier for his captain,

“It’s very well deserved, a huge part of our team and the reason why we got to where we got to.

“A lot of times when the game’s on the line and we need offens,e he’s there, he’s been a guy with him and Samuelsson have played against all the top lines night in and night out, he’s got a physicality to him that makes it really tough on the opposition, hard guy to play against, so I think it’s really well deserved.”

We all know the emotions and intensity Dahlin plays with and Ruff said that part of his game can go both ways,

“There’s times I really like it, I think there’s times we try to temper it too and I think that’s the maturing process for him too, the when and where part of it. When the game’s on the line, I don’t need you in the penalty box, but when you need to show fire for your teammates and your desire, that’s the part that you really like to see and it’s been a growing process for him.”

Every season Dahlin has gotten better. It’s a matter of pride when it comes to him. When he was up for the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year, I remember having a conversation with Victor Hedman who won the Norris in 2018. That year on the red carpet he told me that he felt his fellow countryman was going to be in the running for the Norris for years to come. Dahlin said,

“That’s the type of person I am, I don’t think I’m ever satisfied and I want to get better every day and when you have that, success comes to you, but you just have to make sure every single day is important and you’ve got to make sure you bring your best even though you’re not feeling great that day, but if you have that hunger, good things come.”

Dahlin said getting hit with the puck on Wednesday hurt, but he’s not injured.

The other two finalists are Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche and Zach Werenski of the Columbus Blue Jackets

Game 2 is Friday right here in Buffalo.