Sabres’ Ramus Dahlin Makes Heartbreaking Choice: Hockey Takes Backseat to Fiancée’s Life-or-Death Battle

When the news broke that Rasmus Dahlin, the Buffalo Sabres’ cornerstone defenseman, would be stepping away from the ice for a spell, it sent ripples through the hockey world. This isn’t just any leave of absence — the team’s captain has been called home to Sweden to handle what coach Lindy Ruff described as a “personal matter.” You can’t ignore the gravity here: Dahlin and his fiancée, Carolina Matovac, recently opened up about the life-threatening ordeal she faced earlier this year, having undergone an emergency heart transplant while vacationing in France. It’s a heavy, heart-wrenching situation, and though there’s no clear timetable for Dahlin’s return, we know one thing — this goes far beyond the rink. Ruff’s words echo with empathy, reminding us all that sometimes, life’s battles dwarf the game itself. The couple’s strength amidst this ordeal, their gratitude for the support they’ve received, and the path to recovery ahead is a story that’s as real as it is compelling. For those wanting to dive deeper into their journey and the latest updates, here’s where you can get the full picture. LEARN MORE.

Sabres star Rasmus Dahlin has taken a temporary leave of absence to deal with what head coach Lindy Ruff labeled Friday a “personal matter” in Sweden.

Dahlin and his fiancée, Carolina Matovac, revealed she received an emergency heart transplant earlier this year in France while on vacation.

Ruff said there is no timeframe for when the team captain may return, and he indicated there has not been a turn for the worse for Matovac.

“He said everything is OK,” Ruff told reporters Friday. “He’s got full support by our team.”

He added: “I think it’s been incredibly hard. Not the easiest. I fully understand what this young man is going through. I don’t think you can describe it and I don’t think you can feel what he’s feeling. I’m pretty passionate about the fact that no one would want to walk in his shoes and having dealt with what he has dealt with. He has undoubtedly got the support of everybody on this. This is larger than hockey.”

Dahlin and Matovac, both 25, detailed their harrowing offseason in a joint Instagram post in September ahead of the 2025-26 season.

Matovac began feeling sick during their vacation in France, which led to “major heart failure.”

She received CPR, which helped keep her alive and “ultimately saved her life.”

“Without her receiving lifesaving CRP, the result would have been unimaginable,” they wrote. “It is hard to even think about the worst-case scenario.”

Matovac had to stay in a French hospital and received a heart transplant.

The pair was undergoing rehab to allow her return to Buffalo.

The engaged couple thanked, among others, the medical professionals, NHL, National Hockey League Players’ Association, the Sabres and the Pegula family — which owns the team, for their support.

“This has undoubtedly been the most challenging chapter of our lives, however it is something that we have learned so much from,” they wrote.

“We will continue to grow from these experiences and are so grateful for all the love and support we have received. We are truly blessed in so many ways and fully realize how fortunate we are.”

Dahlin has appeared in 14 games for Buffalo (5-5-4) this season, scoring one goal and eight assists.

This marks his eighth season in the NHL, all with the franchise.

He had a wild fight earlier this season against Panthers star Brad Marchand.

“Family and person come before hockey,” Ruff said. “Hockey’s our job, hockey’s our lifeline, but family and personal trump anything that comes before.”