Dahlin, the No. 1 pick in the 2018 NHL Draft, turned 22 Wednesday and got an early start on birthday celebrations by scoring a goal and an assist against the Maple Leafs. He's already played 270 NHL games, scoring 153 points (28 goals, 125 assists) and showing poise in almost every aspect of his game.
It wasn't always like that. Because of his lofty draft status, he faced the pressure of immediately being a perceived savior for a Sabres franchise that hasn't qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs since 2011.
Now here comes Power, fresh off a successful career at the University of Michigan that has left expectations high, much in the same way they were for Dahlin. Like Dahlin, Power was a No. 1 pick, selected by the Sabres in the 2021 NHL Draft.
Power admits Dahlin is a resource he can turn to on or off the ice when the walls start closing in. After all, as a fellow No. 1 pick, Dahlin understands what the kid can expect ahead of him.
"I think he's someone I'll lean on a lot," Power said. "Like you said, he's been through this situation and I think he's someone I could just go to with questions on the ice or off the ice. Like I said, he'll be someone I'll be able to lean on."
He won't have to go far to do that, if the seating arrangement in the Sabres dressing room Tuesday becomes permanent. The defensemen were in adjoining cubicles, giving Dahlin a great vantage point to see Power presented by teammates with the ceremonial sabre for being the player of the game.
With Power and Dahlin anchoring the Sabres blue line, Buffalo's future certainly looks bright.
"I think you do forget, because Rasmus is already in his fourth season, that he's just turning 22," Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams said. "I think that, besides the on-ice stuff, just the day-to-day expectations he's felt over those years, it's just going to help Owen in his transition because Rasmus can relate.
"And, add to that that Rasmus is an all-in team guy and he really cares about his teammates. So he wants to see Owen succeed. So I'm really excited about that."