The Buffalo Sabres named Rasmus Dahlin as their new captain on Thursday. It did not come as a shocking development by any means. Dahlin has been one of the Sabres’ best players for a few years. He is also a proven leader for this team on and off the ice.

Ruff has an intimate knowledge of the meaning of the captaincy, particularly in hockey. His first captains as a player were Danny Gare and Gilbert Perreault. He was captain himself from 1986 to 1989, and as coach of the Sabres was responsible for the appointments of Michael Peca, Danny Briere, and Chris Drury to the captaincy, among others.