After eight full seasons in the NHL, Buffalo Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin is finally getting his flowers. It was a fantastic campaign for him, and the end result was leading the franchise that drafted him first overall to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in 14 years.
Now that the Sabres have been eliminated, the NHL Awards and their voting results are circulating on the internet. Spoiler alert, Dahlin is on a couple of them.
Rasmus Dahlin named to the NHL Second All-Star team for the first time in his career
With 19 goals, 55 assists, and 74 points under his belt for the 2025-26 season, Dahlin earned enough recognition from the NHL to be placed on the NHL Second All-Star team. This is the first time he has been placed on this ballot, and he joined Edmonton Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard as part of the defensive duo.
Colorado Avalanche superstar defenseman Cale Makar and the Norris Trophy winner out of Columbus, Zach Werenski, were the First All-Star team pairing. Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson finished right behind Dahlin, by a total of 136 votes.
Speaking of the Norris, Dahlin finished in third place for that award, gaining 13 first-place votes.
Dahlin had a wonderful year, and he was a direct representation of why the Sabres were able to muster this miraculous playoff appearance and run. He was sturdy and consistent, which was crucial in the regular and postseason.
Top 10 in Hart Trophy voting
Dahlin wasn't done yet, as he also earned some votes in the biggest individual award of the year, the Hart Trophy. The league's MVP went to Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov, but No. 26 found himself inside the top-10.
Once again, this was the first time he had been in contention for this award, and he earned 17 votes, which included 3 fourth-place votes and 7 fifth-place votes. That is an incredible notion to be placed amongst not only the best defenseman in the NHL, but skaters as a whole.
Dahlin enters the 2026-27 season with a chip on his shoulder from the disappointing loss to the Montreal Canadiens in Game 7 of the second round of these playoffs. Expect him to possibly go even higher on a number of these ballots next season.
