So, who is Rasmus Dahlin? Adam Boqvist, a fellow Swedish defense prospect who's known Dahlin for six years, chose "funny" and "humble" as the two adjectives he'd use to describe his friend. Those descriptors match the image Dahlin has portrayed throughout his draft process.
From his time spent in Buffalo for the NHL Scouting Combine earlier this month to his session with the media on the eve of the draft, Dahlin has maintained a balance of composure and humility. He refuses to look ahead any further than Friday's first round, where he's been widely projected as the No. 1 pick to Buffalo.
That's something that Tyler Seguin wishes he had been able to do in the days leading up to his draft. Seguin, the second overall pick in 2010, offered as much to Dahlin and other prospects before they took the ice along with Dallas Stars teammates Jamie Benn and Ben Bishop for a youth clinic Thursday morning.
"Slow it all down," Seguin said. "I was telling them, at this point, there's nothing more they can do before tomorrow night. There's no more interviews, there's no more looking at statistics and playing games.
"Now it's about enjoying the moment with your family, take it hour by hour and soak it all in. That's something I wish I did a little bit more when it was my time."
Such has been Dahlin's approach during his time in Dallas, the majority of which he's spent with his parents and siblings.
"It feels crazy to be here actually," he said. "I can't believe it. Sometime in the near future I'll stop and think [about] what I am going through but I'm just trying to enjoy this time as much as I can."
While scouts and members of the media have labeled him as a "franchise-altering" talent, he rejects the notion that he'll start off as anything more than a piece to the puzzle. He even laughed off the idea that the kids on the ice during the youth clinic were excited to meet him. (Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the glass, parents could be heard remarking that their child was skating with a "franchise-altering defenseman.")
"You can't think that way," Dahlin said. "You just have to try to play your game and to be the best that you can. I don't think it's so good to think that way.
" ... I haven't thought about anything that way. The only thing I can think about is tomorrow."
