They say patience is a virtue. But even the most virtuous people have limits on how much they are willing to take.
Rasmus Dahlin, for example, has spent his entire seven-year NHL career playing for a Buffalo Sabres team that has yet to qualify for the playoffs. That’s the same length of time that Sam Reinhart spent in the city, before he was eventually traded to Florida. And it’s one year longer than Jack Eichel lasted, before he essentially forced management into trading him to Vegas.
Like Eichel and Reinhart, who gave up so much of their prime years playing for a non-playoff team, how long will it take before Dahlin also appears to have had enough?
How long before he also grows tired of the losing? Tired of missing the playoffs? Tired of the constant teardown and rebuild? And most importantly, how long before he gets tired of watching star player after star player leave?
A week after Dylan Cozens was dealt to Ottawa at the trade deadline after spending five fruitless years in Buffalo, the Spittin Chiclets podcast suggested that Dahlin had told GM Kevyn Adams that if something doesn’t change — and quick — that he also wants to be moved.
Dahlin quickly refuted it. But he also indicated that his patience is starting to wear thin.
“I want to be moved?” Dahlin said when told of the Spittin’ Chiclets report. “That I want to be gone from Buffalo? I don’t know what he’s talking about. I have never said I want out of here. I’m not happy where we’re at. I don’t want to lose. We have to get better.
“I never said I want out of here. That’s pretty clear.”
I just asked Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin about the comments from the most recent episode of Spittin Chiclets suggesting he told GM Kevyn Adams if something doesn’t change soon he wants out of Buffalo.
He vehemently refuted the idea he wants out of Buffalo@WKBW pic.twitter.com/dwbWsBonUO
— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) March 11, 2025
Dahlin, who signed an eight-year extension worth $88-million in 2023, turns 30 years old in November. He has essentially wasted his 20s playing for a non-playoff team.
During that time, the Sabres have never finished higher than 10th in the Eastern Conference standings. This year, they are 14 points back of the second wild card spot. They are the worst team in the conference and will miss the playoffs for an NHL-record 14th consecutive year.
“We have to do a lot of stuff,” Dahlin told reporters. “It takes everyday work. You have to do hard work every day … stuff has to change. That’s how it is. I absolutely hate losing.”
Rasmus Dahlin is as loyal to the Sabres crest as you’re ever going to find, but EVERYONE has their breaking point. Jack did, Sam did, etc. etc.
It’s an embarrassment this is a conversation. The prime of arguably the best defenseman to ever play for the franchise is being wasted.
— The Sabre Report (@TheSabreReport) March 11, 2025
It’s not just Dahlin who is getting sick of the losing. Tage Thompson, who was brought over in the Ryan O’Reilly trade, has been here for seven years. Owen Power, who was drafted No. 1 overall, is in his fourth season.
Fans are repeatedly told that next could be better. That the team is still young and that eventually things will turn around. But it’s hard to be optimistic when so many other rebuilding teams are taking the steps that Buffalo hasn’t been able to take.
Ottawa, which has missed the playoffs for seven straight years, is currently holding down the first wild card spot. Detroit, which has missed the playoffs for eight years, is four points out of a playoff spot. Even Montreal, which started its rebuild three years ago, is only two points out.
Meanwhile, Buffalo continues to spin its wheels and cannot seem to gain traction.
Even when the Sabres try to make a move, like trading Cozens to the Senators at last week’s trade deadline in exchange for Josh Norris, it’s yet another reminder that Buffalo has moved on from yet another top-10 pick who was supposed to be the solution.
For those counting at home, the list of first-round picks who have been sent out the door is getting longer and longer. If the Sabres are not able to turn this thing around, it could also include Dahlin.
dahlin doesn’t want to leave buffalo, he just hates how badly the sabres suck. he just like me fr
— Ryan Mura (@RyanMura) March 11, 2025
