Player Discussion Rasmus Dahlin Part 4 - D (1st Overall, 2018, Frölunda HC, SHL)

[Gabrielor]

Still believe plenty in this man.

Hell of a game last night.

 

[BuffaloGooner]

The demise of Rasmus Dahlin was greatly exaggerated

 

[Zach716]

I really think Dahlin might need to move to the right side moving forward. If Power, Bryson, Johnson and Samuelsson are all players, it might make sense. I could see Samuelsson being a long term partner.

I actually prefer him on the right side myself. He can be so damn elusive and cut into the center of the ice from the right side and have his dominant hand ready to snipe like last night.

 

[Fezzy126]

I actually prefer him on the right side myself. He can be so damn elusive and cut into the center of the ice from the right side and have his dominant hand ready to snipe like last night.

He was playing the right side when he got walked by Hertl
He was playing the right side when he got walked by Bertuzzi
He was playing the right side when he got walked by Ovie last year
He was playing the right side on a failed blueline keep-in that resulted in ENG against earlier this year

The fanbase immediately melts down after these types of things. As others like Jack Han have pointed out, there are some technical weaknesses in Dahlin's game related to his stick and feet positioning, I feel like these issues are exponentially worse on his off hand side.

I get what he did on the larger ice surfaces in Europe, but I don't think he is suited to playing his off hand side in the NHL, this is strictly speaking about his defense and play without the puck.

While yesterday's dangle and goal came from the right side, the biggest change I saw was a concerted effort to get to the middle of the ice and shoot the puck. He's such an elite puck carrier, if he maintains that level of aggressiveness he's going to score A LOT of points, regardless of which side he plays.

 

[Zach716]

He was playing the right side when he got walked by Hertl
He was playing the right side when he got walked by Bertuzzi
He was playing the right side when he got walked by Ovie last year
He was playing the right side on a failed blueline keep-in that resulted in ENG against earlier this year

The fanbase immediately melts down after these types of things. As others like Jack Han have pointed out, there are some technical weaknesses in Dahlin's game related to his stick and feet positioning, I feel like these issues are exponentially worse on his off hand side.

I get what he did on the larger ice surfaces in Europe, but I don't think he is suited to playing his off hand side in the NHL, this is strictly speaking about his defense and play without the puck.

While yesterday's dangle and goal came from the right side, the biggest change I saw was a concerted effort to get to the middle of the ice and shoot the puck. He's such an elite puck carrier, if he maintains that level of aggressiveness he's going to score A LOT of points, regardless of which side he plays.

I certainly don't have a strong opinion one way or the other, just a minor preference, but Dahlin has been walked on the left side countless times as well.

 

[oldgoalie]

Still believe plenty in this man.

Hell of a game last night.

people forget he's still a kid! he'll get there.

 

[UnleashRasmus]

Dahlin looked like he had his season 1 swag back. I liked his game today. He should be playing like this every game.

 

[Zman5778]

people forget he's still a kid! he'll get there.

But.....but......but.......this is his FOURTH NHL SEASON!!! He can't still be a kid! He's reached his ceiling. There's nowhere to go but down from here...............................

 

[Grinder44]

I actually prefer him on the right side myself. He can be so damn elusive and cut into the center of the ice from the right side and have his dominant hand ready to snipe like last night.

I'd play both Dahlin and Power where they're most effective and move some of the other guys around to compliment them. I wouldn't move either to a position where they're less effective. Maybe one of them can thrive on the right side, but if not, don't force it.

 

[valet]

I certainly don't have a strong opinion one way or the other, just a minor preference, but Dahlin has been walked on the left side countless times as well.

I wouldn't call it 'countless', but I agree he needs to work on his transition D a bit. not trying to start and argument, just want to keep things in perspective. imo the bad has been greatly surpassed by the good, but of of course we want him to be good at everything and he probably can and will do so.

the most impressive thing that people forget about dahlin this year is that he is straight eating #1 minutes. never did this in his career, so there are going to be mistakes. he will learn if his play along his development is any indicator. just needs some time to adjust to the higher level of competition

 

[Chainshot]

I'm curious how his expected totals are over the last couple weeks.

 

[Satanphonehome]

Dahlin is only 10 months older than NHL baby Dylan Cozens and just nine months older than prospect Peyton Krebs. He plays a much tougher position than either. He’s a month younger than Mattias Samuelsson.

Something that needs to be considered when talking about player development.

 

[Washed Up 29YearOld]

I like Dahlin on the right because he's lefthanded and if he's pushing the puck up ice it's harder to stick check him on his backhand because he has more control of the puck. ( /=(stick) .=(puck) Right side= /. puck to the boards blade to the outside for more puck control versus left side= /. puck is up for grabs/turnovers.

Lydman and Tallinder pairing is an example of two LHD who made it work for this very complementary reason.

 

[joshjull]

Dahlin is going to play on the left with Joker for the foreseeable future. They are going to eat a ton of minutes as a pair. That was the plan for this season before Joker got injured and its back on track.

 

[The Blunder Years]

Dahlin’s been shooting a lot the last few games and I forget how much torque he gets on his clappers. I think there’s a lot of upside for scoring as he has a pretty decent shot.

 

[Der Jaeger]

Dahlin’s been shooting a lot the last few games and I forget how much torque he gets on his clappers. I think there’s a lot of upside for scoring as he has a pretty decent shot.

he also gets his shot through. That’s huge

 

[GOALOFSSON]

Having both Dahlin and Power will be unfair

 

[gallagt01]

I've loved his game recently.

He definitely looks like he's added weight this year and is thicker. And the last few games, he looks like he's handling contact well.

He's still working through the warts. But as a Sabres fan, I've found myself looking for him on the ice more and more in critical situations.

It's tough to explain, but even when he isn't playing great (i.e. Minnesota), he feels like a No. 1.

Very excited for his future.

 

[Buffaloed]

He's finally figuring out he's the quarterback not one of the wide receivers. Instead of waiting for opportunities to develop, he's creating them. He's becoming more aggressive on defense too. Instead of passively waiting for the play to come to him, he's attacking it. He's taking a few more penalties due to that but he'll learn soon enough what he can get away with.

 

[UnleashRasmus]

He's finally figuring out he's the quarterback not one of the wide receivers. Instead of waiting for opportunities to develop, he's creating them. He's becoming more aggressive on defense too. Instead of passively waiting for the play to come to him, he's attacking it. He's taking a few more penalties due to that but he'll learn soon enough what he can get away with.

Just like my log-in name, UnleashRasmus, he's finally getting confidence, and he's looking for his shot. It's about god damn time. He's too good to be so passive. He'll make mistakes, but if he gets his head on straight he can be at least "adequate" defensively.

 

[Chainshot]

He's finally figuring out he's the quarterback not one of the wide receivers. Instead of waiting for opportunities to develop, he's creating them. He's becoming more aggressive on defense too. Instead of passively waiting for the play to come to him, he's attacking it. He's taking a few more penalties due to that but he'll learn soon enough what he can get away with.

And if he clubs a few guys in the crease, fine. Make 'em think before they go there.

 

[BowieSabresFan]

And I think this week he's also shown how underrated his wrist shot is.

 

[EmeraldCitySabre]

Dahlin currently 2nd on the team in points, 1st in ice time, and 1st in PP points. Seems like a pretty important part of this team, maybe we should hang onto him for awhile. Imagine what he'll do when he's surrounded by all of the talent in our prospect pool.

 

[Chainshot]

Dahlin currently 2nd on the team in points, 1st in ice time, and 1st in PP points. Seems like a pretty important part of this team, maybe we should hang onto him for awhile. Imagine what he'll do when he's surrounded by all of the talent in our prospect pool.

Seriously though, I agree. He's been good and they shouldn't be looking to do anything but continue to try to surround him with good players.

 

[itwasaforwardpass]

He's finally figuring out he's the quarterback not one of the wide receivers. Instead of waiting for opportunities to develop, he's creating them. He's becoming more aggressive on defense too. Instead of passively waiting for the play to come to him, he's attacking it. He's taking a few more penalties due to that but he'll learn soon enough what he can get away with.

Agree with all of that except the reasoning for his penalties. He's been taking a lot of penalties all season. That's not a new development due to improved play. This season he's taken on more minutes and responsibility defensively. That's more likely the cause.