With the season opener three days away, the Buffalo Sabres signed star defenseman Rasmus Dahlin to an eight-year, $88 million contract extension, the team announced.
Dahlin is currently in the final year of a three-year contract worth $6 million annually, so the new deal will kick in next season.
When the 23-year-old’s deal begins, his salary will be the second-highest among blue-liners in the NHL, tied with LA’s Drew Doughty. Pittsburgh’s Erik Karlsson leads the pack with an annual cap hit of $11.5 million.
Dahlin, who was the first overall pick in the 2018 NHL Draft, is coming off his best season, registering career highs in goals (15), assists (58), points (73), power-play points (32), shots (204), and average ice time (25:48).
With Dahlin now locked up, GM Kevyn Adams will turn his attention to defenseman Owen Power, who is also due for an extension.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].