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.

" (Rasmus Dahlin) does everything right, first and foremost," Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff said in the club's announcement. "His on-ice action has been incredible, and I think he’s a guy that leads in every category."