Rasmus Dahlin abruptly leaves the Sabres on Friday

The Buffalo Sabres announced on Friday that star defenseman Rasmus Dahlin will be taking a temporary leave of absence to return to Sweden and be with his fiancée. Head coach Lindy Ruff confirmed that Dahlin has the full support of the organization, emphasizing that everything is currently stable with his fiancée, Carolina. No timetable has been provided for Dahlin’s return.

Before the 2025-26 season, Dahlin opened up about the harrowing ordeal Carolina and their families faced this summer. While on vacation in France, Carolina suffered a sudden and severe heart failure. Dahlin shared that she required multiple rounds of CPR, in some cases lasting hours, to keep her alive.

She was subsequently transferred to a hospital where she remained on life support for several weeks. Ultimately, Carolina received a heart transplant while still in France and has since returned to Sweden for ongoing treatment and recovery.

Dahlin’s decision to step away reflects the seriousness of the situation and his desire to be close to his fiancée during her recovery. The Sabres have reiterated their support for the star defenseman, acknowledging the extraordinary circumstances and prioritizing his family’s well-being.

Dahlin has been a cornerstone of the Sabres’ blue line since being selected first overall in the 2018 NHL Draft. His temporary absence leaves a gap for Buffalo, but the organization is expected to adjust its defensive pairings as needed while Dahlin is away.

While fans and teammates will miss seeing Dahlin on the ice, his focus remains on his fiancée and supporting her through recovery. The Sabres will provide updates on his return once a clearer timeline is established.