Since Nov. 15, Dahlin is averaging 22:11 of ice time per game, raising his season average to 21:08 per game, second among NHL rookies behind Miro Heiskanen of the Dallas Stars, who was drafted in 2017
There's even more to illustrate the unique impact Dahlin is having in his rookie season.
By measuring shot differentials when a player is both on and off the ice, it's possible to see how much better a team is with a specific player on the ice. Since 2009-2010, the season the NHL started tracking shot differential, one player has had a better output than Dahlin (3.49) in the season following their draft: Ebklad (3.73). Dahlin makes his team significantly better when he's on the ice.
In virtually every aspect of the game, Dahlin has been performing at an elite level. When trying to assess Dahlin's potential long-term value, it's worth comparing his performance to some of the best current defensemen.
Looking at every Norris Trophy winner since 2000-2001, Doughty is the only one who played in the NHL immediately after he was drafted; he scored 27 points as a rookie. San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson wasn't in the NHL as an 18-year-old and had 26 points in 60 games with the Ottawa Senators at age 19. Doughty has won the Norris once and Karlsson twice.
That puts Dahlin well ahead of this generation's best offensive defensemen at the same age and indicates that he has legitimate Norris Trophy potential. Considering how well he compares to other Norris Trophy winners, Dahlin may be ready to enter that conversation relatively soon.
What's even more remarkable about Dahlin's season is that he's not likely to win the Calder Trophy as the top rookie.