Rasmus Dahlin Returns to Buffalo with Olympic Lessons in Tow
Buffalo, N.Y. - Rasmus Dahlin has returned to the Buffalo Sabres, bringing back both pride and the sting of an early Olympic exit. Representing Sweden at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan was an honor for Dahlin, but the on-ice results left him yearning for more.
"It was an honor to represent my country and to spend time with my fellow Swedes," Dahlin shared. "But the outcome in hockey left a sour taste. It is what it is, and we have to move forward."
Sweden's journey ended in the quarterfinals with an overtime loss to the United States, a defeat that still lingers for Dahlin. Watching other teams vie for medals while heading home early was tough to digest.
"Mentally, he's disappointed," Sabres coach Lindy Ruff noted. "Seeing other teams in the medal rounds, there's always that feeling of, 'I wish it could have been us.'"
Yet, Dahlin didn't dwell on the disappointment for long. With the Sabres deep in a playoff push, he quickly shifted his focus back to Buffalo.
"After losing that game, I immediately turned my attention to Buffalo," Dahlin said. "I'm really excited about what's happening here, and now the fun begins."
Despite the Olympic setback, Dahlin sees a silver lining. Competing in high-pressure games on a global stage has sharpened his mental toughness, a skill he intends to bring back to the Sabres.
"Every game felt like a must-win, which helped me work on handling emotions and pressure. It was an awesome learning experience," Dahlin explained.
Coach Ruff echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the growth opportunities the Olympics provided.
"There's always a chance to become a better player and leader, learning from those who've been there before," Ruff said.