NEWYou can now listen to PK Press Club articles!
Buffalo Sabers captain Rasmus Dahlin has taken an indefinite leave of absence just months after his fiancée, Carolina Matovac, underwent a heart transplant, the team announced Friday.
Head coach Lindy Ruff spoke with reporters Friday and said Matovac hasn’t suffered any setbacks, but Dahlin will travel to Sweden while she continues to recover.
Carolina Matovac and Rasmus Dahlin (26) of the Buffalo Sabers pose on the red carpet at the Metro Toronto Convention Center in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, February 1, 2024. (Nicole Osborne/NHLI via Getty Images)
“[Dahlin] I said everything was fine,” he said via ESPN. “I think it’s been incredibly difficult. I completely understand what this young man is going through. I don’t think you can describe it. I’m very passionate about the fact that no one would want to put themselves in their shoes and have to deal with what they experienced. He has everyone’s support on this. It’s bigger than hockey. »
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PK Press Club
Ruff said there is no timetable for Dahlin’s return.
In an open letter to fans in September, Dahlin said that Matovac had been feeling ill for several days, causing him to go into “major heart failure.”
“Fortunately, she received CPR repeatedly, and for up to a few hours at a time, to keep her alive, which ultimately saved her life. Without it, the outcome would have been unimaginable. It’s hard to even imagine the worst case scenario,” he wrote.
Matovac remained on life support for weeks before receiving the transplant in France.
Rasmus Dahlin (26) of the Buffalo Sabers skates during the first period against the Philadelphia Flyers at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York on April 17, 2025. (Rebecca Villagracia/Getty Images)
NHL Star Reveals Fiancee Received Heart Transplant After Suffering “Major Heart Failure” Over Vacation
“Without the incredible commitment, expertise, care and sensitivity of everyone who cared for Carolina, we would not be in the position we are in today, with Carolina healthy and on the path to a full recovery.”
“While Carolina is still working through her rehab to return to me in Buffalo, she has demonstrated incredible determination, spirit, positivity and resilience that I am in awe of,” Dahlin continued. “This has undoubtedly been the most difficult chapter of our lives, but it is something we have learned a lot from. We will continue to grow through these experiences and are so grateful for all the love and support we have received. We are truly blessed in so many ways and we fully realize how lucky we are.”
Rasmus Dahlin (26) of the Buffalo Sabers prepares for a faceoff during an NHL game against the New York Rangers at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York on October 9, 2025. (Bill Wippert/NHLI via Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PK Press Club APP
Dahlin, 25, enters his eighth NHL season after being selected first overall by Buffalo in the 2018 draft. The Swedish defenseman has topped 50 points in each of his last four seasons and was selected to represent his country at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.
He has nine points in 14 games this season.
