IDOL WORSHIP
Karlsson locks horns with young Swede Dahlin, the Sabres’ budding phenom
SANJOSE » In cities across the NHL, puckheads are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to finally catch a glimpse of Rasmus Dahlin. Erik Karlsson was among them. Karlsson got a front-row seat to watch the budding phenom who grew up idolizing him in Sweden when the Sharks faced off against the Buffalo Sabres at SAP Center on Thursday. The Sharks won 5-1 as Logan Couture had a hat trick, and Joonas Donskoi and Joe Pavelski added goals. For a full recap, visit mercurynews.com.
“I haven’t seen himeither,” Karlsson said after the Sharksmorning practice. “It’s going to be exciting. Obviously, I’ve seen lots of clips and highlights from all over the world. It’s going to be nice to play against him.”
Dahlin, the first- overall pick in last summer’s NHL draft, is being labeled as the “heir to Erik Karlsson” because of his smooth skating, Swedish upbringing and preternatural creativity with the puck. He had an assist in Thursday’s loss. That might seem like an unfair comparison to lob at an 18-year-old with just seven games of NHL experience under his belt. But according to some NHL scouts, setting the bar at Karlsson might actually too low for the first Swedish player to be drafted first overall since Mats Sundin in 1989.
Last year, Anders Forsberg, a former Ot-
Ottawa Senators scout who drafted Karlsson, told the National Post in Canada that Dahlin will be “better” than the twotime Norris Trophy winner and reigning Norris champ Victor Hedman of the Tampa Bay Lightning. He also said that Oliver Ekman-Larsson of the Arizona Coyotes was “not even close” to playing at Dahlin’s level as an 18-year- old.
Karlsson, who made his NHL debut at 19, is also convinced that Dahlin is ahead of the curve compared to where he was as a teenager.
“Iwasn’t very goodwhen I was 18. A lot smaller. It took me a little longer to find my stride,” he said. “For him, it feels like he’s ready to play (in the NHL) right now. He’s obviously doing a great job.
“Comparing the two of us from where he is right now — he’s miles, miles ahead of me.”
Listed at 6-foot-2, 185 pounds, Dahlin is bigger than Karlsson and already playing with a physical edge. He’s used to playing against men, as well, skating 20minutes a night with Frolunda HC of the Swedish Hockey League as a 17-year- old last winter. He also became the youngest player in 34 years to compete in the men’s hockey tournament at the Winter Olympics when he suited up for Sweden in Pyeongchang, South Korea, in February.
In six- plus games, he’s recorded a goal and two assists. Both players earned assists in Thursday’s game.
Dahlin said it’s “so cool” to hear that his childhood idol is speaking about him with such high praise. At the same time, he’s aware that he can’t let those statements get to his head.
“It’s a long way until my career ends, so I can’t be comfortable,” he said.
• Speaking of elite Sharks defensemen, MarcEdouard Vlasic swam into uncharted waters Thursday, becoming the franchise’s first blue liner to suit up for 900 NHL games. The milestone is just the latest achievement for Vlasic, who’s quietly carving his face into the Mount Rushmore of Sharks hockey with the stability he’s consistently brought to the back end during his 13-year NHL career.
Still, Vlasic isn’t convinced that he’ll be re- membered along with the likes of Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau and Brent Burns in Sharks lore after his career is wrapped up.
“Do I have a place in Sharks hockey? I don’t know,” Vlasic said. “There’s a lot of individuals ahead of me in that department.”
Coach Pete DeBoer disagrees with Vlasic’s take.
“For me, he would be right near the top of the list,” the Sharks coach said. “Talk about a guy who quietly, efficiently — every night for the last 10 to 12 years — has come in and played tough minutes against the best players in the world.
“I’m not sure there’s a more valuable defenseman for a 10-year periodmaybe in the league than he’s been to this franchise.”
• Controversy followed the Sabres to Silicon Valley this week as coach Phil Housley’s wife, Karin Housley, attempts to win a seat in the U. S. Senate.
Earlier this week, the Huffington Post reported that the Republican candidate in theMinnesota senate race made a Facebook post in 2009 that mocked Michelle Obama in racial terms.
After the former first lady met with Queen Elizabeth II, Housley referenced the Ronald Reagan movie “Bedtime for Bonzo”, which featured a chimpanzee. Housley wrote: “I do miss Nancy Reagan. Ronald even more. I think even that chimp stood up straighter than Michelle. Uh- oh, someone is going to make a comment.”
Housley also made a Facebook post that year calling Hillary Clinton a “porker in a blue pantsuit.”
The Sabres coach stood by his wife of 35 years in a recent interview with the Buffalo News.
“She’s doing great. She keeps pushing forward,” Housley told columnist Mike Harrington. “She will continue to fight.w She wants to be elected, and these are things that happen in politics that you have no control over.”