Rasmus Dahlin Takes Leave for Personal Reasons

Buffalo Sabers captain Rasmus Dahlin is stepping away from the team indefinitely, following his fiancée Karolina Matvac’s heart transplant that occurred just a few months ago, as announced by the team on Friday.

Head coach Lindy Ruff addressed the media, stating that Matvac’s recovery has been stable, but Dahlin intends to journey to Sweden to support her during this time.

Ruff shared his understanding of the situation, emphasizing the challenges Dahlin is facing: “I think it’s been incredibly tough. I fully understand what this young man is going through. I don’t think you can explain it. This is bigger than hockey,” he remarked.

Dahlin has expressed his assurance that everything is fine but acknowledged how difficult this period has been for them. In September, he opened up to fans about Matvac’s health decline, which led to her experiencing severe heart failure.

“Fortunately, she received CPR multiple times, which kept her alive and ultimately saved her life,” he noted, reflecting on how dire the situation had been. “It’s hard to even think of the worst-case scenario.”

Matvac had to remain on life support for weeks before receiving the transplant in France. Dahlin acknowledged the incredible care from the medical team, which has been crucial in her recovery process. “Without their dedication, we wouldn’t be where we are today,” he stated, expressing gratitude for the support they’ve received as they navigate the difficulties of this chapter in their lives. Dahlin mentioned that while it’s been tough, it’s also contributed to their growth and resilience.

Dahlin, now in his eighth NHL season, was the first overall pick by Buffalo in the 2018 draft and has consistently scored over 50 points in the past four seasons. This season, he has registered nine points in 14 games.