Detroit Red Wings forward Lucas Raymond and Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin have been friends for years.
“Living in the same hometown, working out summers together, hanging out,” Raymond told reporters of their relationship. “So he’s an unbelievable guy, an unbelievable hockey player.”
Dahlin was the first pick of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. Raymond went to Detroit with the fourth overall selection of the 2020 draft. While close as friends and part of the same Swedish hockey program with Vastra Frolunda, that age difference ensured that the two wouldn’t team up on the ice.
They played one game together as teammates, with Vastra Frolunda’s junior club in 2017-18.
“It was always almost like he went up a step, and then I went up a step,” Raymond said. “So we never really played with each other.”
Red Wings Raymond Roomed With Dahlin At The Olympics
They did get that chance with Sweden at last month’s Winter Olympic Games. Dahlin and Raymond even roomed together in the Olympic Village.
“It was great,” Raymond said. “We had a great time. You know, we made the most out of it.
“He was a great roommate. I think he probably had more complaints about me [as a roommate] than I have about him, but no, we had a great time.”
As the Red Wings visit Buffalo to face the Atlantic Division-leading Sabres, first and foremost, Raymond knows that the desperate Red Wings need to come away with two points to keep a playoff berth from slipping further away.
Still, that doesn’t mean he can’t feel good for his friend, who has faced some serious challenges and on off the ice.
Dahlin’s Sabres (12 years) are the only NHL team with a longer active non-playoff streak than the Red Wings (nine years).
“Really happy for him this year, the way he’s been playing and, you know, everything that’s been going on around him,” Raymond said.
Dahlin’s fiancée, Carolina Matovac, underwent an emergency heart transplant last summer. She was finally able to attend her first Sabres game earlier this week.
Beautiful moment as Rasmus Dahlin’s fiancé, Carolina, was honored after returning to Buffalo. 👏👏👏
She had underwent a heart transplant surgery a couple months ago and was previously recovering in Sweden. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/ySCzUeHpsZ
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) March 25, 2026
“I mean, it’s hard not to root for the guy, even though the team he’s playing for is in our division,” Raymond said. “But he’s a good friend of mine, and obviously, everything that he’s gone through with his fiancée, it’s been incredible and inspiring to see.
“So very happy for them.”