Rasmus Dahlin won't return against Florida, leaving Lindy Ruff and the Buffalo Sabres without their top defenseman.
The Sabres announced Monday that Dahlin was ruled out for the rest of their game against the Panthers with an upper-body injury. No timetable for his return was provided.
It's a brutal development for a team already fighting through a shaky start. Dahlin drives Buffalo's breakouts, controls the puck under pressure and gives the blue line an offensive threat.
Buffalo entered Monday with a 2-3-0 record. Losing its most influential defenseman during a division matchup puts Ruff in an immediate bind.
The remaining defensemen now face tougher assignments. Pairings can be disrupted, shifts get heavier, and someone has to take on the minutes and situations normally reserved for Dahlin.
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The Sabres had already surrendered 19 goals this season. Losing their best puck-moving defender makes it harder to escape defensive-zone pressure against Florida.
Buffalo's blue line suddenly has a major problem
Ruff's first task is getting through Monday without the player who organizes so much of Buffalo's transition game. A lengthy absence would demand far more than an in-game adjustment.
The power play presents another problem. Dahlin's ability to move laterally along the blue line and open passing lanes isn't something the coaching staff can easily duplicate.
For now, the upper-body designation says little about severity. The team's initial announcement didn't explain how Dahlin was hurt or whether he will miss another game.
The schedule adds urgency. The Sabres are due to face Montreal on Tuesday, giving Dahlin little time between the Florida matchup and the next puck drop.
Buffalo also brought a -8 goal differential into the day. It's a team that needs cleaner exits and more stable defensive shifts, not another reason to juggle its blue line.
Dahlin carries an $11,000,000 cap hit, underscoring the investment Buffalo has made in him. The more immediate issue is the enormous share of on-ice responsibility he handles.
Nothing announced so far confirms a long-term absence. But Ruff must prepare for the possibility that Buffalo's most important defenseman won't be available when the Sabres hit the road.
Are the Buffalo Sabres in serious trouble if Rasmus Dahlin misses more games?
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