Sabres sign Dahlin to 8-year contract extension

Rasmus Dahlin made his feelings about Buffalo clear when asked about the status of his contract at the outset of training camp last month.

“I love the city. I love the team. I love everything,” Dahlin said.

The Sabres cemented his future with the organization on Monday. Dahlin signed an eight-year contract extension worth an average annual value of $11 million, beginning with the 2024-25 season.

Dahlin, 23, joins forwards Tage Thompson and Dylan Cozens and defenseman Mattias Samuelsson – all of whom signed seven-year contracts – as core members of the Sabres who have signed long-term extensions since the start of last season.

Dahlin enjoyed a career year in 2022-23 while serving as an alternate captain for the first time. He tied for fifth among NHL defensemen with 73 points, the third-highest mark by a defenseman in Sabres history. He ranked fourth among all NHL players in ice time despite missing four games.

His offensive skill – a trademark that helped make him the No. 1 pick in the 2018 NHL Draft – was matched by his defensive tenacity. He led the Sabres in blocked shots and finished second on the team in hits. Teammates praised his competitiveness as a tone-setting quality.

"He's so competitive," Sabres captain Kyle Okposo said. "That's probably his best leadership quality, how competitive he is. He just wants to win all the time. He wants to be the best. He wants to be on the ice in every situation. He's been incredible."

Off the ice, Dahlin has embraced his role as an ambassador for the organization. He jumped at the last-minute opportunity to represent the Sabres at the All-Star Game last season in place of Thompson, who sustained an injury the night before the event. It was Dahlin’s second straight selection.

“It’s important that Buffalo is [represented],” Dahlin said. “We’re gaining some respect now. ... It’s awesome to represent my club."

Dahlin has 233 points (46+187) in 355 career games. He is one of 12 defensemen in NHL history to hit the 200-point mark before his 23rd birthday.

"I know I'm biased, but I look at him as one of the top in the world at what he does," Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams said last season. "He's taken huge steps. I couldn't be more proud of him but I also know how much work he's put into this. I still think he's going to get better. You hear me say that a lot. He's a player I believe will keep getting better."