BUFFALO
Vincent Trocheck Jersey , N.Y. (AP) For all the buzz Rasmus Dahlin has generated at just 18, the Swedish defenseman joked he had never encountered a
mob scene such as the one before him on Friday.There were as many as a dozen
cameras and two dozen more reporters packed three- and four-deep surrounding
Dahlin, seated on a stool at the NHL pre-draft scouting combine in
Buffalo.”Yeah, it’s pretty awesome actually,” Dahlin said, his blond hair offset
by the jet-black suit he wore. ”It’s the first time so many cameras, I think.
It’s fun. I love it.”Dahlin had better become accustomed to it, because the
lean, play-making and smooth-skating blue-liner should remain the focus of
attention in the days leading up to the NHL draft being held in Dallas in three
weeks. That’s when Dahlin is projected to be the first overall pick and join
Mats Sundin as the only other Swedish-born player to go No. 1.”If that happens,
I would be so glad and proud,” Dahlin said, his eyes growing bigger at the
mention of Sundin, who was selected No. 1 by the Quebec Nordiques in 1989.At
6-foot-2 and 181 pounds, Dahlin is considered the most NHL-ready prospect in
this year’s draft class for his all-around ability. He’s already drawing
comparisons to other elite Swedish defensemen
Adrian Kempe Jersey , such as former Detroit star and seven-time Norris Trophy-winner Nicklas Lidstrom and Ottawa captain and two-time Norris winner
Erik Karlsson.”All those characteristics they bring to the game, Dahlin has the
same potential to bring those same characteristics,” NHL Central Scouting
director Dan Marr, told The Associated Press last week.”It’s not fair to compare
him to those players, but everything that made them successful National Hockey
League players, this kid has it in his game,” Marr added. ”This here’s a player
that could be a cornerstone to a franchise. And he’ll be a staple on their blue
line for years and years to come.”It’s not just one aspect of Dahlin’s game in
which he excels, Marr said. It’s all of them.Whether it’s hitting, scoring or
defending, Marr said Dahlin has ”shown he can rise to the occasion or rise to
perform whatever needs to be done for that situation.”And the significance of
Dahlin being in Buffalo for the combine wasn’t lost on anyone, given the Sabres
own the top pick .General manager Jason Botterill isn’t tipping his hand on
whether he’ll select Dahlin, but coach Phil Housley has already been crowing
about the youngster’s potential.”I’ve been watching on YouTube, and boy it’s
incredible,”
