Dahlin signs entry-level deal with Sabres

Rasmus Dahlin has signed his entry-level contract with the Buffalo Sabres, the team announced Monday.

The top pick in the 2018 draft, Dahlin is expected to immediately step into the Sabres' lineup and stabilize the Buffalo blue line alongside defensive stalwart Rasmus Ristolainen.

In 41 games with the Swedish Hockey League's Frolunda HC last season, Dahlin notched seven goals and 13 assists. The Swedish import has been compared to fellow countrymen Nicklas Lidstrom and Victor Hedman.

Dahlin is the third player in the Sabres' franchise history to be selected with the first-overall pick, following Gilbert Perreault (1970) and Pierre Turgeon (1987).