Dahlin's combine interview made strong impression on Sabres

DALLAS - Like the rest of the hockey world, Jason Botterill was already high on Rasmus Dahlin the player before the defenseman arrived in Buffalo for the NHL Scouting Combine earlier this month. What he learned about Rasmus Dahlin the person during their interview at the combine left him just as impressed.
Botterill came away from that meeting impressed by Dahlin's humility and ability to critically assess his own play. Dahlin broke down the ways he could still improve - forecheck reads, battle levels, off-ice habits, adapting to North American ice - leaving the Sabres' general manager with the sense that Dahlin is a true student of the game.

"That intelligence of the game is something that's very impressive," Botterill said. "… There's a confidence about him, but I don't think he feels he has all the answers out there, he's very open to knowledge."
Botterill still wouldn't go so far as to announce he'll be selecting Dahlin with the first overall pick when the NHL Draft begins on Friday, but he did refer to the defenseman as a player that would improve any of the NHL's 31 teams.
Botterill has made it a priority this offseason to increase the Sabres' speed. Part of that boils down to adding faster players, but playing with speed also requires quicker and more fluid passing out of the defensive zone. Dahlin excels in both areas.
"I think what's impressed us on the ice is, you see some YouTube highlights that are impressive with his one-on-one skills, but just a simple [play] around the net, if one option is not there, he seems to be able to find number two and number three very quickly," Botterill said.

READ: Sabres will not extend offer to Lehner, Botterill says
Botterill's work on Friday may not end with the number one pick. The GM said trading back into the first round remains an option, and he reiterated his belief that there could be up to five players from this draft ready to step into the NHL next season, with others set to make a push.
"I would say that we're ready to pick number one and look at different scenarios, prepare for number 32 and see if we can move up from that standpoint," he said. "We've certainly had discussions with other teams. Putting a percentage on that, it's so difficult to say."