Buffalo Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin has taken an indefinite leave of absence from the team just months after his fiancée, Carolina Matovac, underwent a heart transplant, the team announced Friday.

Head coach Lindy Ruff spoke to reporters Friday and shared that Matovac had not suffered any setbacks, but that Dahlin would be traveling to Sweden as she continues to recover.

“[Dahlin] said everything is OK,” he said, via ESPN. “I think it’s been incredibly hard. I fully 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 walk in his shoes and to have dealt with what he has dealt with. He has the support of everybody on this. This is larger than hockey.”

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Ruff said there was no timetable for Dahlin’s return.

In an open letter to fans in September, Dahlin shared that Matovac had been feeling ill for several days, which led to her experiencing “major heart failure.”

“Fortunately, she received CPR on multiple occasions, and up to a couple of hours at a time to keep her alive, which ultimately saved her life. Without her receiving lifesaving CPR, the result would have been unimaginable. It is hard to even think about 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 Sabres skates during the first period against the Philadelphia Flyers at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York, on April 17, 2025. (Rebecca Villagracia/Getty Images)

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“Without the incredible commitment, expertise, care, and sensitivity of all the people who treated Carolina, we would not be in the position that we are in today, with Carolina recovering well and on the path to a full recovery.”

“While Carolina is still working through her rehab to return to be with me in Buffalo, she has demonstrated an incredible determination, spirit, positivity, and resilience that I am in awe of,” Dahlin continued. “This has undoubtedly been the most challenging chapter of our lives, however it is something that we have learned so much from. 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.”

Rasmus Dahlin (26) of the Buffalo Sabres prepares for a faceoff during an NHL game against the New York Rangers at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York, on Oct. 9, 2025. (Bill Wippert/NHLI via Getty Images)

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Dahlin, 25, is entering 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 past 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.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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Alessia Russo’s late equaliser clinched Arsenal a deserved 1-1 draw at the Emirates Stadium as Chelsea equalled their Women’s Super League record of 33 games unbeaten.

England striker Russo fired home in the 87th minute after United States forward Alyssa Thompson’s fine solo goal had given Chelsea an early lead.

The visitors twice hit the woodwork through Johanna Rytting Kaneryd and Catarina Macario, while Sonia Bompastor has yet to be beaten as Chelsea boss since replacing Emma Hayes in May 2024.

Arsenal were aggrieved when striker Stina Blackstenius’ second-half effort was disallowed after she was adjudged to have handled before firing home from a corner.

Manchester United slipped to their first defeat of the Women’s Super League campaign as they were beaten 1-0 by Aston Villa at Leigh Sports Village.

Miri Taylor’s first-half strike condemned United to their first loss of the season after eight matches as they missed the chance to climb to the top of the table.

Villa extended their unbeaten run to six matches across all competitions and picked up their second league win of the season.

United looked to start quickly and Fridolina Rolfö provided a dangerous cross into the box but Villa defender Anna Patten did well to get the ball away from danger.

Both sides failed to produce much quality in the first period and when Villa had the first shot on target of the contest Georgia Mullett’s tame strike was easily collected by United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce.

But 10 minutes before half-time Taylor produced a moment of quality to put Villa ahead.

United failed to deal with a corner and it fell nicely for Taylor who struck a bouncing ball past Tullis-Joyce to put the visitors in front.

United looked for an equaliser after the break, with manager Marc Skinner throwing on WSL top goalscorer Melvine Malard, winger Leah Galton and left-back Anna Sandberg early in the second half.

Sandberg’s cross gave fellow substitute Rachel Williams a sight of goal in the closing stages but her header was easily gathered by Villa goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo as the visitors held on to record a shock victory