Maybe he is not the best in the league in defense, I admit it, but he is competent and he is very good and productive in attack, it is very important. I'm not a fan of analytics, but sometimes it can help. Then Risto is now one of the best in the league? After all, he seems to have excellent analytics this season.

This year he's better in these ways,
His shot is far far better, you would know that obviously cause you watched his game.
His shot timing and selection is also better doesn't get blocked as much.
He plays defensive zone minutes this season, which he didn't ever do in his rookie season (surprise there is the analytical downfall and your reason they look maybe worse)
He hasn't been given 22+ minutes again after the first game cause coach is trying to even everyone out in terms of ice time.
Another thing is he hasn't given up the bad plays in his defensive zone, he needs to be playing with a defensive Dman as well and not Montour who just rushes forward all the time leaving Dahlin the superior offensive talent to play the 1-2 breaks the other way. Eye test works out, analytics don't but the analytics also probably don't tell you that the Sabres squashed their opponents in the last three games just came out very snake bitten in two of them. Especially Skinner.

1) Hedman and Karlsson weren't great at Dahlin's age, give him time, he has all the tools.
2) Krueger after this season may no longer be on the coaching bridge, I would not trade my potential #1 D who is 20 years old only because of a dubious coach.
3) Here we are just going to expect to receive a similar package if Jack requests a trade and we have to trade it. We probably won't get it for the current Dahlin.

We probably won't get such a package for Dahlin, only if some Detroit or Los Angeles can give a very solid futures package.

Analytics are like 5% of the picture, especially when in the hands of non professionals

Ristolainens advanced Stats currently have him at the top of the league though

Yes for the first 4 games. Not the past 5 years.

yes but advanced stats

Yes, advanced stats show that Risto has been good this year but dreadful for the past several years. What's your point

Youre saying advanced stats make Dahlin look worse this year than 2 years ago. its the same thing

Yeah I dont get why you're comparing 4 risto games to every game Dahlin has played since his rookie year. His offensive and defensive stats have fallen for some reason, literally a fact