There was little question throughout the 2017-18 season that Dahlin would be the top prospect available in the 2018 NHL Draft. His skating, puck-handling, vision, hockey intelligence and shot reminded scouts of fellow Sweden-born defensemen Erik Karlsson and Victor Hedman.

As a result, after getting 20 points (seven goals, 13 assists) in 41 games for Frolunda in the Swedish Hockey League, Dahlin was selected by the Buffalo Sabres with the No. 1 pick in 2018 draft, making him the first Sweden-born player to be selected first overall since the Mats Sundin in 1989.

Dahlin made the leap straight to the NHL and made his debut in Buffalo's season opener, a 4-0 loss to the Boston Bruins on Oct. 4, 2018. He recorded his first NHL point, an assist, in a 6-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Oct. 11 before scoring his first goal two days later in a 3-0 win against the Arizona Coyotes.

Although Buffalo would struggle and miss the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the eighth straight season, Dahlin shined. He had 44 points (nine goals, 35 assists) in 82 games, the second-most in NHL history for an 18-year-old defenseman behind Phil Housley (66 points in 1982-83), who was Dahlin's coach in Buffalo that season.

Looking to build off a strong rookie season, Dahlin scored in Buffalo's season-opening win against the Pittsburgh Penguins and had seven points (one goal, six assists) in its first four games. When the season was paused on March 12, 2020 due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus, Dahlin had 40 points (four goals, 36 assists) in 59 games.

NOTES & TRANSACTIONS

• NHL All-Rookie Team (2019)