Sabres' Rasmus Dahlin Takes Temporary Leave of Absence
The Buffalo Sabres announced that their captain, Rasmus Dahlin, will be taking a temporary leave of absence from the team. He is returning to his native Sweden, with no set timeline for his return.
Coach Lindy Ruff's Statement
“Rasmus will be taking a temporary leave of absence to deal with a personal matter back in Sweden. I will say this, he said everything is ok, and through this, he’s got the full support of our team.”
Ruff emphasized the importance of family over hockey:
“Family and personal come before hockey. Hockey is our job, hockey is our lifeline, but family and personal trump anything that comes before.”
Background on Dahlin's Leave
Matthew Fairburn of The Athletic reported that Dahlin’s fiancée underwent a heart transplant during the offseason, which may be the reason for his leave. He added:
“Everything is ok with Dahlin’s fiancée right now.”
On-Ice Adjustments
While Dahlin focuses on his personal matters, the Sabres will need to adjust their lineup, likely giving Owen Power a larger role on the top defensive pairing.
Support and Solidarity
Most importantly, thoughts remain with Dahlin and his family during this difficult time.
Author’s Summary
Rasmus Dahlin’s temporary absence highlights the importance of family support amid personal challenges, as the Sabres prepare to adapt on the ice.