(Buffalo) Rasmus Dahlin, who established himself as a leader for the Buffalo Sabers by becoming one of the most threatening offensive defensemen across the National Hockey League last year, has signed an eight-year contract extension worth US88 million with the team on Monday.

After several discussions which mainly took place during the summer, the agreement was finally reached a few days before the start of the season. The Sabers will begin their 2023-24 schedule on Thursday by hosting the New York Rangers.

Dahlin will become the Sabers’ highest paid player annually when his new contract takes effect. There is currently one season remaining on his previous three-year, 18 million pact.

Announcing Dahlin’s long-term contract extension will help the Sabers avoid this topic being a distraction during the season. It will also allow the team to secure the services of its most talented player to try to secure a place in the playoffs for the first time in 13 seasons.

From the start of training camp, Dahlin said he was convinced that the Sabers will be able to do well and get back into the race for a playoff spot.

” It’s time. I mean, we have no more excuses,” he said.

The 23-year-old Swedish defenseman is part of the core of young players the Sabers have assembled during their rebuild, alongside centers Tage Thompson and Dylan Cozens, as well as defenseman Mattias Samuelsson. Eventually, defenseman Owen Power, chosen first overall in the 2021 draft, should also be an important player for the Sabres.

In his fifth season in the NHL last year, Dahlin showed the full extent of his playmaking skills, which prompted the Sabers to make him the first overall pick in the 2018 draft.

He scored a career-high 15 goals and finished the season tied for fifth among league defensemen with 73 points.

Dahlin’s two most productive seasons – he had 13 goals and 53 points in 2021-22 – coincided with the arrival of head coach Don Granato, who encouraged his players to play without fear of making mistakes.

This was a major change from his predecessor, Ralph Krueger, who had asked Dahlin to play a more defensive role.