Rasmus Dahlin Takes Leave to Support Fiancée After Heart Transplant

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Buffalo Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin is taking a temporary leave of absence to return to Sweden and care for his fiancée, Carolina Matovac, who recently received a heart transplant.

The situation began this summer during a vacation in France, where Matovac suffered sudden heart failure. Dahlin shared that she required life-saving CPR multiple times before being placed on life support in a French hospital. After several weeks, she underwent a heart transplant and has since been recovering in Sweden.

Sabres coach Lindy Ruff confirmed that Dahlin has the full support of the organization and his teammates, noting that everything is currently stable with Matovac. “I fully understand what this young man is going through,” Ruff said. “No one can truly feel what he’s feeling.”

Dahlin, 25, is in his second season as the Sabres’ captain and has recorded nine points in 14 games this season, averaging over 24 minutes of ice time. Despite his contributions on the ice, he admitted that his focus on hockey has been challenging amid his personal struggles.

<p“I’ve got more to give,” Dahlin said after a recent game. “I’m not satisfied. I want to create more.”

<pRuff emphasized that family always comes first, stating, “Family and personal come before hockey.” The Sabres organization plans to adjust their defensive pairings while Dahlin is away. There is currently no timeline for his return, but the team will provide updates as more information becomes available.