"Rasmus Dahlin Breaks Career High in NHL Defensemen Rankings: Sabres Star Eyes Playoff Push"

Buffalo Sabres fans have long known that Rasmus Dahlin is among the best defensemen in the NHL. Now, the rest of the league is starting to catch up.

In Paul Pidutti’s Daily Faceoff "High Noon" rankings, released ahead of the 2025-26 season, Dahlin earned the highest ranking of his career, coming in at No. 7 among NHL defensemen. This is a significant leap from his No. 14 spot last year, solidifying his position as one of the game’s elite blueliners.

Rising to the Top

At just 25 years old, Dahlin has steadily climbed through the rankings over the past few seasons, moving from No. 22 to now being just outside the top five. His impressive on-ice performance has been the driving factor behind his rise. Over the past three years, Dahlin has recorded 200 points (52 goals, 148 assists) in 232 games, ranking sixth among all NHL defensemen in points during that span.

Pidutti’s rankings are based on a weighted average of a player’s last three seasons, and Dahlin’s continued improvement suggests he could challenge for a top-five spot soon.

Top Defenders Ahead of Dahlin

While Dahlin’s ranking is a great achievement, there are still some big names ahead of him in this year’s list:

1. Cale Makar (Colorado Avalanche)

2. Quinn Hughes (Vancouver Canucks)

3. Josh Morrissey (Winnipeg Jets)

4. Adam Fox (New York Rangers)

5. Evan Bouchard (Edmonton Oilers)

6. Victor Hedman (Tampa Bay Lightning)

Hedman, who is now 34, may see his production dip slightly as Father Time catches up, which could open the door for Dahlin to push higher in the rankings. However, players like Makar, Hughes, and Fox will likely remain in the Norris Trophy conversation for years to come.

Dahlin’s Impact on Buffalo's Playoff Hopes

As the Sabres' captain, Dahlin’s importance cannot be overstated. His injury absence last season played a major role in the team’s 13-game losing streak, effectively ending their playoff dreams before 2025 even began.

Dahlin is one of the most complete defensemen in the game—he plays on the top pair, quarterbacks the No. 1 power play unit, and frequently kills penalties. However, with the Sabres' limited playmaking depth following the trade of JJ Peterka to the Utah Mammoth, Dahlin will be relied upon even more to drive play and create scoring chances.

In 2024, Dahlin led Buffalo with 51 assists, while the next closest player, Peterka, had 41. No other player had more than 33 assists. Dahlin will need to continue generating high-danger scoring opportunities for his teammates if the Sabres are to stay competitive.

Aiming for a Point-Per-Game Season

To push the Sabres into playoff contention, Dahlin will likely need to surpass a point-per-game pace. He is more than capable of achieving that, but he will need the support of his teammates to compete with the league’s top teams.

Dahlin has his sights set on continuing his ascent to the top of the NHL's defensive ranks, but more importantly, he’s focused on helping the Sabres end their 14-year playoff drought.

"Being in the top 10 is an honor, but I won’t stop there. I want to keep improving and prove I can compete with the best. My goal is to get Buffalo into the playoffs and do whatever it takes to win. That’s what matters most." — Rasmus Dahlin

With Dahlin leading the way, the Sabres have the potential to make a serious run this season. But as the season unfolds, it will be his performance that drives the team’s success and determines whether Buffalo can finally return to the postseason.

#RasmusDahlin #BuffaloSabres #NHL2025 #DefensemanRankings #SabresCaptain #PlayoffPush #NHLElite #SabresRise

"Shane Steichen’s Bold Move Pays Off: Colts Dominate in Week 1, Eyeing Championship Glory!"

 

Shane Steichen is already proving he’s a head coach willing to make bold moves—and in his first game of the 2025 season, that decisiveness delivered a stunning 33-8 victory over the Miami Dolphins.

The biggest headline of Week 1 wasn’t quarterback Daniel Jones’ dazzling performance, but rather Steichen’s gutsy decision to bench rookie Anthony Richardson in favor of Jones. While the move raised eyebrows, it paid off in a big way. Jones, completing 22 of 29 passes for 272 yards and a 27-yard touchdown to Michael Pittman Jr., showed the kind of leadership and efficiency the Colts have been searching for. He also added two rushing touchdowns, accounting for 26 rushing yards, including a pivotal 11-yard scamper.

Under Steichen’s guidance, the Colts’ offense looked unstoppable. With 418 total yards (262 passing and 156 rushing) and 27 first downs, Indianapolis completely dominated time of possession, holding the ball for 38:43 while the Dolphins barely had it for 21:17. Steichen’s offense controlled the game from start to finish, and the Colts' defense played its part, forcing three turnovers from Miami’s quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

Sports Illustrated's Gilberto Manzano called Steichen a "winner" after Week 1, and for good reason. The Colts' performance was a complete team effort, and the coach’s game plan left Miami scrambling. With Jonathan Taylor running the ball effectively and rookie tight end Tyler Warren showing promise, the offense looked balanced and dangerous.

Steichen reflected on his decision and the team’s performance after the game, saying, “I’m not afraid to make tough decisions, and today, it paid off. Daniel was outstanding, but this is just the start. We’re not just aiming for the playoffs—we’re going for a championship, and I’ll do whatever it takes to get there.”

The victory over the Dolphins not only marked a dominant start to the season, but it also ended a decade-long streak of losing in Week 1 for the Colts. Now, with momentum on their side, Indianapolis is eyeing bigger goals—winning the AFC South and making a playoff push for the first time since 2020.

The road ahead won’t be easy. Next up are the Denver Broncos, led by head coach Sean Payton, who will provide a far tougher challenge for Steichen’s offense. But with Jones at the helm and Steichen pulling the strings, the Colts are looking like a team that could make serious noise in the AFC.

If Week 1 is any indication, Indianapolis is headed in the right direction—and Steichen’s bold move may just be the catalyst that propels them to championship glory.

#ShaneSteichen #DanielJones #IndianapolisColts #NFL2025 #ColtsNation #AFCPlayoffPush #WinningStart #ChampionshipBound

Continue reading