Rasmus Dahlin Steps Away from Sabres
Rasmus Dahlin, the captain of the Buffalo Sabres, has decided to step away from the team to support his fiancée, Carolina Matovac, as she continues her recovery in Sweden following a heart transplant. The specifics regarding when Dahlin will return to the Sabres remain uncertain.
Coach’s Update on Matovac’s Recovery
Coach Lindy Ruff provided reporters with an update, stating that Matovac has not experienced any setbacks in her recovery.
“[Dahlin] said everything is OK,”
Ruff mentioned on Friday. He empathized with Dahlin’s situation, acknowledging the emotional toll it has taken on him.
“This is bigger than hockey; I fully understand what this young man is going through,”
Ruff said.
Matovac’s Health Crisis
Matovac’s health crisis began last summer during a trip to France, where she unexpectedly suffered from heart failure and required urgent medical attention. As she recuperates in Sweden, Dahlin has been balancing his responsibilities as the Sabres captain, a role he has held since being drafted first overall in 2018.
Dahlin’s Performance Amid Personal Challenges
Despite the personal challenges he is facing, Dahlin has managed to put up an impressive nine points over the first 14 games of the season, averaging over 24 minutes of playtime each night. After the Sabres faced a disappointing 3-0 defeat against the St. Louis Blues last Thursday, Dahlin expressed dissatisfaction with his performance, indicating he feels he could contribute more.
“I want to create more. I want to do more out there. I’m not satisfied, but I’m on the way,”
he stated.
Prioritizing Family Over Hockey
Nevertheless, Coach Ruff emphasized the importance of prioritizing family over professional commitments.
“Family and personal come before hockey. Hockey’s our job, hockey’s our lifeline, but family and personal trump anything else,”
he remarked, reminding everyone of the significant pressures athletes can face off the ice.
