Former NHL player Thomas Hickey believes that Buffalo Sabres defenseman, Rasmus Dahlin, should be in the Norris Trophy conversation this year. Dahlin, who is going through an eight-year $88 million contract, had another great season this year despite the Sabres missing the playoffs for their 14th consecutive season.
In a conversation with NHL Network's Tuesday broadcast, Hickey appreciated Dahlin's skill and leadership on the ice.
"He's capped right here at number seven until the Buffalo Sabres can make the playoffs," Hickey said. "And then I think we're going to be talking about him. It's tough to say this year when we're going to get to the top three, but we're going to say he's in the Norris conversation."
Hickey mentioned that Dahlin performs well even when the Sabres miss the playoffs. He noted the 25-year-old's production, physicality and defensive ability. Hickey added that Dahlin's showing in the playoffs would reveal the full extent of his game.
"Why not him? Because he's got this edge, this competitive side, and he's been doing it every single year...," Hickey said. "This is a guy I would just love to see him in a playoff series. ... Not that he's not there now, but we'd appreciate the rest of his game."
Dahlin's contract runs through the 2031-32 season. Drafted as the first pick in 2018, he featured his seventh NHL season in 2024-25, producing 17 goals and 51 assists for 68 points, finishing with a +11 rating.
Dahlin's points have been stellar each season, from 53 in 2021-22 to 69 in 2024-25. His peak season came in 2022-23 with 73 points and 92 penalty minutes. Featuring in over 509 games, he has shown durability and steady growth, which is a reason why Hickey said his mix of offense and defense makes him Norris-worthy.
"I mean, as far as production goes in the NHL, not many defenseman have been able to produce like Rasmus Dahlin," Hickey said. "But at the same time, the physicality that he plays with for a guy that is sort of undersized, the amount of shots that he blocks every single night. I mean, just so impressed with him, the leadership role he's taken in Buffalo."
It's very clear that Buffalo's poor collective performance has limited his recognition.