Rasmus Dahlin has nine points in 14 games for the Sabres this season. Reuben Polansky-Shapiro / NHLI via Getty Images
BUFFALO, N.Y. — Buffalo Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin will be taking a temporary leave of absence from the team to deal with a personal matter back home in Sweden.
Over the summer, while vacationing in France, Dahlin’s fiancee, Carolina Matovac, began feeling sick for a few days and ended up experiencing sudden heart failure. She received life-saving CPR and was transferred to a hospital in France, where she was on life support before eventually receiving a heart transplant. She has been recovering in Sweden while Dahlin has been in Buffalo for the start of the Sabres’ season.
Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said Dahlin shared that everything is OK with Matovac. Dahlin has just had a difficult time focusing on hockey throughout this situation. Ruff said he has the full support of the organization and his teammates. There is not currently a timeline on how long Dahlin will be away.
“I think it’s been incredibly hard,” Ruff said. “I fully understand what this young man is going through. I don’t think you can describe it. I don’t think you can feel what he’s feeling. I’m very passionate about the fact that no one would want to walk in his shoes and have dealt with what he dealt with. He has the support of everybody on this. This is larger than hockey.”
Dahlin, 25, is in his second season as the Sabres’ captain and the second season of an eight-year, $88 million contract. He has nine points in 14 games this season while averaging more than 24 minutes of ice time. But the team has been outscored 12-7 when he’s on the ice at five-on-five. Dahlin expressed frustration with his own game after a loss to the Blues dropped the Sabres to 5-5-4 on Thursday.
“I’ve got more to give,” Dahlin said. “I’m not satisfied. I want to create more. I want to do more out there. I’m not satisfied but I’m on the way.”
Ruff has gone out of his way to point out what Dahlin is dealing with away from the rink when discussing his captain’s play this season.
“That always comes first,” Ruff reiterated on Friday. “Family and personal come before hockey. Hockey’s our job, hockey’s our lifeline, but family and personal trump anything else.”
Nov 7, 2025
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