For the first time in over a decade, NHL players are back on Olympic ice, and two of the Buffalo Sabres’ brightest stars are right in the thick of it. Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin are suiting up for Team USA and Team Sweden, respectively, as the men’s hockey tournament gets underway this week at the Winter Olympics. Both players have emerged as elite talents in the NHL, and now they’ll be looking to carry that momentum onto the international stage.
Tage Thompson - United States
When Team USA finalized its Olympic roster back on January 2, Tage Thompson’s name came as no surprise. Over the past five seasons, the Sabres center has quietly become one of the league’s most lethal goal scorers. With 188 goals in that span, Thompson ranks eighth in the NHL-an impressive feat in a league stacked with offensive firepower.
What sets Thompson apart isn’t just his scoring touch, though-it’s the consistency. Since the 2021-22 season, he’s posted four straight 30-goal campaigns, including two where he eclipsed the 40-goal mark.
He had 47 goals in 2022-23 and followed that up with 44 in 2024-25. This season?
He’s right on pace again, with 30 goals and 29 assists through 59 games. That’s a point-per-game clip, and it’s helped keep Buffalo in the playoff hunt.
Now, Thompson joins a U.S. roster loaded with marquee names: Jack Eichel, Auston Matthews, Matthew Tkachuk-the kind of company that speaks volumes about the level Thompson has reached. But he’s not just along for the ride. He’s earned this spot, and he’s expected to contribute in a big way.
International play isn’t new territory for Thompson, either. He’s represented the U.S. five times before, including stints at the U18 and U20 levels, plus three appearances at the World Championship.
Across 28 games in those tournaments, he’s racked up 17 points. His most memorable moment?
That came just last year, when he scored the golden goal in overtime to lift the U.S. to a 1-0 win over Switzerland-their first gold at the World Championship in 92 years. That’s the kind of clutch moment that sticks with a player.
Now he’s got a shot to do it again, this time under the Olympic spotlight.
When to Watch Team USA:
- **Thurs, Feb. 12 - 3:10 p.m.
ET vs Latvia**
- **Sat, Feb. 14 - 3:10 p.m.
ET vs Denmark**
- **Sun, Feb. 15 - 3:10 p.m.
ET vs Germany**
The key matchup here is the finale against Germany. That game could very well decide who tops Group C and secures a favorable path through the knockout rounds.
Rasmus Dahlin - Sweden
On the other side of the bracket, Rasmus Dahlin is anchoring the blue line for Team Sweden-and he’s doing it as one of the most complete defensemen in the game today. The Sabres captain was one of the first six players named to the Swedish roster last June, and it’s easy to see why.
Since the 2022-23 season, Dahlin has tallied 248 points in 285 games-fifth among NHL defensemen over that span. He’s topped 60 points twice, including a 73-point breakout in 2022-23 that firmly established him as a top-tier offensive defenseman.
And while the production jumps off the page, it’s his all-around game that makes him so valuable. He’s smart, physical, and poised under pressure-exactly the kind of player you want on the ice when the stakes are highest.
With 408 career points, Dahlin already ranks second all-time among Sabres defensemen, trailing only Hall of Famer Phil Housley. That’s elite company, and at just 26 years old, Dahlin’s best years may still be ahead of him.
Internationally, he’s no stranger to wearing Sweden’s colors. This will be his 13th tournament representing his country, including two U20 World Juniors, two World Championships, and an Olympic debut back in 2018 when he was just 17.
Sweden finished fifth that year, but Dahlin showed flashes of the player he’d become. He’s also coming off a strong showing at last year’s 4 Nations Face-Off.
In total, he’s notched 28 points in international play, and this time around, he’s expected to take on a massive role. Dahlin will quarterback the top power-play unit, log heavy minutes at even strength, and likely be on the ice in every critical situation. He’ll be joined on the blue line by veterans like Erik Karlsson and Victor Hedman, giving Sweden one of the most experienced and skilled defensive corps in the tournament.
When to Watch Team Sweden:
- **Thurs, Feb. 11 - 3:10 p.m.
ET vs Italy**
- **Fri, Feb. 13 - 6:10 a.m.
ET vs Finland**
- **Sat, Feb. 14 - 6:10 a.m.
ET vs Slovakia**
Sweden’s group isn’t a cakewalk. Finland is always a tough out, and Slovakia has a knack for pulling off upsets. But with Dahlin leading the charge from the back end, Sweden has the tools to make a deep run.
Sabres Stars on the Olympic Stage
For both Thompson and Dahlin, the Olympics represent more than just another tournament. It’s a chance to showcase their skills on the biggest international stage hockey has to offer. They’re not just representing their countries-they’re carrying the banner for a Sabres organization that’s seen both players grow into stars.
Whether it’s Thompson sniping goals for Team USA or Dahlin controlling the game from the blue line for Sweden, Sabres fans have plenty to cheer for over the next few weeks. These two aren’t just participating-they’re expected to be difference-makers. And if recent history is any indication, they’re more than ready for the moment.