Buffalo Sabres are betting on Dahlin’s development and hope he becomes a perennial Norris Trophy contender, while struggling with a three-goalie situation and seeking to add a high-end offensive forward to optimize their offense.
‣ Dahlin has demonstrated his value to Buffalo while center Tage Thompson has been out of action
‣ Buffalo sports fans are some of the most enduring fans in the world
‣ The Sabres have been rolling this season with three goaltenders which hasn’t been an ideal set of circumstances for a team that needs help in the goal-scoring department
The Sabres took a risk by betting on Dahlin’s continued development and are hopeful he will be a contender for the Norris Trophy. A month after signing the deal, Dahlin has demonstrated his value to Buffalo, playing an average of almost 25 minutes a night and even working on penalty kill, contributing to the Sabres’ recent win against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Last season, Dahlin posted 73 points in 78 games and this season his numbers have been almost identical. He has been more physical and responsible with the puck than in seasons past, with four goals and 12 assists in the first 19 games. The Sabres are grateful to their fanbase, despite a decrease in attendance, for remaining passionate while the team has not made the playoffs for 12 years.
The Sabres have been unable to bring up any of their scoring prospects from the AHL due to a three-goalie situation that has affected the team’s performance. Although Luukkonen has been solid for Buffalo, Comrie has been uneven, and Levi has struggled with his contract situation and play. The most practical move for Buffalo would be to demote one of the goaltenders to the minors, likely Levi, to address their scoring woes.
The Sabres need an offensive-minded forward to add punch to their offensive attack and find the consistency needed to get back to the playoffs. They have been tied to the idea of bringing hometown boy Patrick Kane to the team, indicating their desire to add a high-end offensive forward. If Buffalo can add a young scoring forward from the AHL and an offensively talented forward from outside the organization, they might be able to optimize their offense and improve their performance.
