Dahlin is the third player in Sabres history to be selected with the first pick in the NHL Draft, following forwards Gilbert Perreault in 1970 and Pierre Turgeon in 1987.
Dahlin was presented a Sabres jersey by Botterill bearing No. 26, the same number he wore with Frolunda.
"It's an amazing feeling," Dahlin said. "Just to actually put on this jersey with this logo on, it's amazing. I've been waiting to do this for so long. Finally I'm here."
Dahlin will have his mother with him in Buffalo to help him settle into life in the NHL. He'll also have a few potential teammates from Sweden, including forward Johan Larsson, goaltender Linus Ullmark, and 2017-2018 Swedish Hockey League Defenseman of the Year Lawrence Pilut, who signed with the Sabres on May 15.
"[It will help] a little bit, but I have to start knowing all the other guys in the locker room too," Dahlin said. "Of course it's [going to help with] getting comfortable, but I need to speak some English too."
The Sabres will do their part to help Dahlin, starting at Buffalo's development camp that opens Wednesday.
"We're excited about this week, just to get him acclimated a little bit with people within our organization," Botterill said. "Rasmus will come back in the fall and between the rookie tournament, and then we have seven preseason games, we'll try to get him in quite a few of those games just to get him acclimated to the North American game and set him up for success at the start of the season."
Lead photo courtesy of Bill Wippert/Buffalo Sabres