I watched the kid closely this game and even last year. The first game this year he won puck battles, the puck seemed to always find his stick and he never lost his man in the defensive zone. His first game was definitely cleaner than last year and I think he will clean up the gaffes he would make last year.(Small sample size of course)
I think we will see as Dahlin matures is he won't ever get beat one on one, not only he doesn't get beat but he also gains back possession of the puck. Something I think that is very underrated.
He closes the gap on the offensive player very smoothly and when he checks the player with the puck he doesn't just swat the puck away he gains back possession. Something he hasn't gotten credit for yet.
So far what has impressed me most is how he can close the gap with ease, smoothly and recovers the puck from the opposing player. He is very controlled, he will get back possession and starts the transition quickly with long hard accurate passes. Considering he was 18 last year he must have ice in his veins he is so calm and collected. He turns an opposing teams offensive zone entry into gaining back the puck and turning to the transition and break out pass in seconds.
If you watch the opposing player enter the zone he always pushes the player to the outside along the boards. His skating is so good he doesn't get beat. Last year he would even rub a few guys out. To think what he will be like in another 2-3 years is just crazy.
The other thing that has really impressed me is his passing accuracy. I am just guessing but I bet his passes has like a 90% success rate which is the opposite of Risto who panics and throws the puck blindly down the ice. On top of that he doesn't just make the easy pass he will make subtle moves to open up lanes and make long passes with deadly accuracy.
Watch someone like Risto defend, he hacks away and cross checks and pushes the player. Watch Dahlin defend he stays between the net and the opposing player he will ride the player to the boards and scoop the puck away from the opposing player gain control and turn the other way and already starts the transition.
One last point about Dahlin, when you watch him watch him closely, his body language, his subtle moves, his hesitations, his deceptiveness. Every time he has the puck he is looking to do something with it. He is extremely deceptive and he tries to make something happen on every play. His breakout passes gives his teammates a better opportunity going the other way than any other defenceman on the team. I am actually surprised his offensive numbers weren't higher last year but he definitely has some bad bounces last year that cost him some goals.
This kid is a superstar in the making.
(Sorry if my English is bad its 2am
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