Rasmus Dahlin, a standout defenseman for the Buffalo Sabres, has been exceptional leading up to the 2026 Winter Olympics, showcasing a seven-game point streak and accumulating 19 points in his last 14 games before the NHL pause. Expectations are high that Dahlin’s momentum will translate into a dominant performance for Sweden at the Milano Cortina Games.
According to Sean McIndoe of The Athletic, Dahlin could significantly outpace his teammates in scoring, making his impact at the Olympics especially noteworthy for his home country.
The surprise for Team Sweden won’t be Rasmus Dahlin leading the team in scoring, but how big the gap is between him and second place,
McIndoe wrote.
Sweden’s roster is stacked with NHL talent, featuring players such as Lucas Raymond from the Detroit Red Wings, Mika Zibanejad of the New York Rangers, and William Nylander from the Toronto Maple Leafs, although Nylander is currently sidelined with an injury. If Dahlin meets or exceeds these expectations, it will be an encouraging indicator for the rest of the Sabres’ season and his international presence in Italy.
Rasmus Dahlin Expected to Take Leading Defensive Role for Sweden
Traditionally, Dahlin has played behind defensive veterans Victor Hedman of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Erik Karlsson from the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sweden’s depth chart. However, the situation appears to be shifting ahead of the 2026 Winter Games.
Hedman has just returned from a lengthy injury absence, which may limit his ice time and impact in Italy, while Karlsson’s production has tapered this season, registering a modest 35 points in 51 games compared to his elite peak performance. This opens the door for Dahlin to assume the primary defensive responsibilities for Team Sweden.
At 25 years old and a three-time NHL All-Star, Dahlin’s growth since his arrival in Buffalo has been substantial. From early struggles on struggling Sabres teams, he has matured into a contender for the Norris Trophy, highlighting his elite status among defensemen.
This will be Dahlin’s second Olympic outing; his first came as a prospect in 2018, where he played a limited role. This time, he is aiming to engage fully in the experience and contribute significantly to Sweden’s prospects.
I did not enjoy it one bit,
Dahlin reflected to Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press regarding the 2018 Olympics.
I was just young and dumb. I didn’t really realize I was at the Olympics.
Sweden Poised as a Threat to Top Hockey Nations in Milano Cortina
While Canada and the United States remain the favorites for the gold medal in men’s hockey, Sweden stands among the strong contenders capable of disrupting expectations. Alongside rivals like Finland, the Swedish squad is considered a dangerous sleeper team with a real shot at the podium.
Sweden’s group-stage schedule begins with a matchup against host nation Italy on Wednesday, followed by games against Finland on Friday and Slovakia on Saturday. These contests will determine Sweden’s knockout round seeding, as no teams are eliminated after pool play.
If Sweden advances deep into the tournament, it will likely be due in large part to Dahlin’s ability to influence all zones of the ice, providing both offensive creativity and defensive stability.
