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Dahlin eager to build on last season after Atlantic-winning Sabres snapped 14-year playoff drought
Dahlin says the Sabres are no longer satisfied after a 50-win season and first playoff series victory since 2007.
On Tuesday, Buffalo Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin arrived at training camp with a clear head following the shortest summer break of his nine-year NHL career. His fiancée Carolina Matovac recovered from life-saving heart transplant surgery in Europe and rejoined him in March.
The Sabres are building on a scrappy identity that fueled their turnaround from the Eastern Conference basement. Buffalo clinched its first Atlantic Division title and won a playoff series, though forward Tage Thompson cautioned that past results do not guarantee future success.
General manager Jarmo Kekalainen is banking on a young roster following trades of top-line forward Alex Tuch and defenseman Bowen Byram. He expects a productive three-line scoring attack from players aged 24 and younger, including Josh Doan and Zach Benson.
Coach Lindy Ruff, rewarded with a two-year extension in May, enters his third season leading Buffalo. He expressed confidence in the goaltending rotation headed by Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Alex Lyon as the team prepares for Thursday's season opener at Columbus.
Dahlin noted the league views the team differently this year, saying "We're not the same old Sabres any more in other teams' eyes." Ruff aims for a 50-win season, noting that milestone would likely secure a playoff spot.