Lauderdale Barracks. He should have already traveled to the Bahamas.
But when teammate Taige Thompson was injured in the last game before the break, Rasmus Dahlen had to change his plans and go instead to the All Star Gala in Fort Lauderdale.
“It’s been a hectic few hours, but it’s hard to complain when you get here and see this,” the young backpacking star tells Sportbladet, overlooking the famous beach in South Florida’s tourist paradise.
There’s a break in the NHL right now and players who haven’t been in All Star action this weekend at Florida Panthers home arena FLA Live outside Fort Lauderdale are taking the opportunity to take a mini vacation – the majority in the Caribbean.
Rasmus Dahlin’s plans also looked like this. He wasn’t single at first and was looking forward to a couple of relaxing days on a sun lounger on a private beach.
replaces the star
But in Buffalo’s last game before halftime, against Carolina last night, selector Taggie Thompson was injured, and then the running back talent from Lidkobing had to step in as a substitute.
“I was supposed to go to the Bahamas this morning and just had to cancel,” Rasmus says with a smile when we meet him during a media event with a rather impressive view of the famous Fort Lauderdale beach.
– It’s been a hectic few hours, but it’s hard to complain once you get here and see that.
Yes, it might have been less fun to trade the Bahamas for, say, Winnipeg…
But the 22-year-old from Fastgut, who was also part of last year’s festivities in Las Vegas and during this year’s ‘Skills Competition’ will be competing for the hardest shot, is happy to be there for other reasons too.
– Yes, it’s very interesting to come here, hang out with all the guys and meet other Swedes. For example, I haven’t seen my old teammate Linus Ollmark in a while, and it would be interesting to talk to him, he continues.
– So, of course, it’s not that stupid to play hockey with the best player in the league, and yeah, have a kind of good time. We’re in Florida.
Made his breakthrough
Although the call now came on the last team, the trip to the sun can generally be seen as the icing on the cake during Rasmus’ most exciting season in the NHL yet.
He himself has accomplished quite a bit and for the first time during his time in North America the Buffalo Sabers assert themselves so well in the competition.
– Yes, things are going well for us at the moment. We’re in the race and I’ve never been in it before, he agrees.
Makes everything more fun. Every change seems to matter and he feels the way you do. So days are a little easier now.
And he can always travel to the Bahamas again.
