Player Discussion Owen Power, D (1st overall, 2021) Calder Finalist

[old kummelweck]

I would much rather that Power stay with Michigan from a development standpoint.

If he gets stuck in quarantine for a month in China, that could have a lingering negative effect on his development as he won't have any workout equipment and who knows what kind of food he will get.

I would much prefer that he just finishes the season in Michigan and then signs his ELC with the Sabres.

I think that's arguable. The downside is certainly a detriment to development, but playing in the Olympics, playing against a slightly better talent pool, on a world stage? That is at least the same as the Frozen Four.

 

[Jim Bob]

I think that's arguable. The downside is certainly a detriment to development, but playing in the Olympics, playing against a slightly better talent pool, on a world stage? That is at least the same as the Frozen Four.

The talent pool isn't going to be that great. And even the world stage thing will be muted this go around with the games likely happening in empty arenas.

I just don't think the risk is worth it from a Sabres centric and player development POV.

I get why Owen Power would choose to do it. He's a young kid and isn't looking at the odds that things go badly and he is stuck in a hotel room for a month and that is how his competitive season ends.

 

[Zman5778]

I think that's arguable. The downside is certainly a detriment to development, but playing in the Olympics, playing against a slightly better talent pool, on a world stage? That is at least the same as the Frozen Four.

I'd argue that the talent pool is worse than your average WC, given that there will be NO NHLers there. At least in normal WCs, there are NHLers there from eliminated teams. Heck, even Russia will be down a few NHLers from its normal team.

 

[old kummelweck]

I get why Owen Power would choose to do it. He's a young kid and isn't looking at the odds that things go badly and he is stuck in a hotel room for a month and that is how his competitive season ends.

Right. But how bad is this really for his development - big picture? We'd love for him to get some hardware, somewhere, and NCAA seems a better bet. But whether he's playing in the college tourney or sitting in a chinese hotel room, he's still in a Sabres Jersey at least as early as the last 10 games of the season and worst case, for 2022/23 season.

Not sure the development swings in any of those scenarios is that big.

 

[Buffaloed]

Reports: Owen Power to play for Team Canada at Beijing Olympics
The expected selection of Power by Hockey Canada was first reported by Darren Dreger of TSN. The full roster is not going to be announced until later this month. Northeastern goalie Devon Levi, acquired by the Sabres from Florida in the Sam Reinhart trade, is also expected to get prime consideration for a slot.

It's the 80's all over again. Power and Levi perform the Canadian Miracle on Ice and sign with the Sabres. Power is the new improved Mike Ramsey.

Granato has been channeling Herb Brooks for months.
The 1980 U.S. Olympic Team
Looking back, the icy miracle was achieved by enormous ambition, coupled with great passing, checking, speed, and sound puck-control. Shrewdly, Brooks refused to play the typical dump-and-chase style of hockey.
"I didn't want the team throwing the puck away with no reason," said Brooks, who went on to coach the New York Rangers that next season. "That's stupid. It's the same as punting on first down. The style I wanted combined the determined checking of the North American game and the best features of the European game."

 

[GOALOFSSON]

The talent pool isn't going to be that great. And even the world stage thing will be muted this go around with the games likely happening in empty arenas.

I just don't think the risk is worth it from a Sabres centric and player development POV.

I get why Owen Power would choose to do it. He's a young kid and isn't looking at the odds that things go badly and he is stuck in a hotel room for a month and that is how his competitive season ends.

Getting stuck there would suck and wouldn't be the best for his development but also wouldn't be the worst thing. How much time did Quinn/Rossi miss with their injuries (Quinn missed a decent chunk again this year)? Many guys just missed their entire season.

Would suck but nothing super serious. Having missed his draft year WJC and only playing 2 games in this one I can see why he'd want to go.

 

[Jim Bob]

Getting stuck there would suck and wouldn't be the best for his development but also wouldn't be the worst thing. How much time did Quinn/Rossi miss with their injuries (Quinn missed a decent chunk again this year)? Many guys just missed their entire season.

Would suck but nothing super serious. Having missed his draft year WJC and only playing 2 games in this one I can see why he'd want to go.

I just don't see the any sort of development upside to going to the Olympics that outweighs all the risks that come with going to China right now.

From a development POV, the best anyone can say is that will be roughly as good as staying at Michigan. But staying at Michigan has next to no risk from a development POV as even if NCAA hockey shuts down tomorrow, they could just sign him to his ELC and get him to Rochester or Buffalo. He won't get stuck in a hotel room for a month doing next to nothing if he stays at Michigan.

 

[Jim Bob]

Right. But how bad is this really for his development - big picture? We'd love for him to get some hardware, somewhere, and NCAA seems a better bet. But whether he's playing in the college tourney or sitting in a chinese hotel room, he's still in a Sabres Jersey at least as early as the last 10 games of the season and worst case, for 2022/23 season.

Not sure the development swings in any of those scenarios is that big.

It could cause a serious impact to his play next season as a rookie pro. When it comes to his entire career it won't be a huge deal. But, the worst case scenario could have a significant impact to the start of his pro career if he gets COVID there, has to isolate in a hotel room doing nothing and probably not getting great medical care, and then has lingering effects that linger through this off season and perhaps into next season.

For example, there are people that didn't want Rossi in an Eichel trade because of the lingering effects of his bout with COVID from last season.

 

[Buffaloed]

I just don't see the any sort of development upside to going to the Olympics that outweighs all the risks that come with going to China right now.

From a development POV, the best anyone can say is that will be roughly as good as staying at Michigan. But staying at Michigan has next to no risk from a development POV as even if NCAA hockey shuts down tomorrow, they could just sign him to his ELC and get him to Rochester or Buffalo. He won't get stuck in a hotel room for a month doing next to nothing if he stays at Michigan.

I think his experience at the WC's helped his development significantly and the Olympics would do the same. There's quite a bit of difference between playing for Gerrard Gallant and Mel Pearson. Playing with and against older pro's motivated to win gold for their county is far more challenging than what he'll see at Michigan.

 

[Jim Bob]

I think his experience at the WC's helped his development significantly and the Olympics would do the same. There's quite a bit of difference between playing for Gerrard Gallant and Mel Pearson. Playing with and against older pro's motivated to win gold for their county is far more challenging than what he'll see at Michigan.

I'll take Pearson over Claude Julien.



There is a huge difference between the talent at the WCs and what will be at the Olympics this year. The Olympics will be at least a step down from the talent at the WCs. Look at the mishmash of players that the US and Canada sent the last time around. It will look much the same this time.

 

[Nikolajs Sillers]

See if he goes to Olympics in very young age, he have all time ahead to do well in NHL. See like Ovie have cup and other accolades but looks like he never win a gold in Olympic games( Triple Club).

 

[MarkusKetterer]

Hopefully Virtanen gets picked and gets Covid in China. Leipsic too.

 

[Der Jaeger]

Power will get COVID, quarantined in China, sent to work in the salt mines, and he’ll never be seen again. Because Buffalo……

 

[Zman5778]

I just don't see the any sort of development upside to going to the Olympics that outweighs all the risks that come with going to China right now.

From a development POV, the best anyone can say is that will be roughly as good as staying at Michigan. But staying at Michigan has next to no risk from a development POV as even if NCAA hockey shuts down tomorrow, they could just sign him to his ELC and get him to Rochester or Buffalo. He won't get stuck in a hotel room for a month doing next to nothing if he stays at Michigan.

It could cause a serious impact to his play next season as a rookie pro. When it comes to his entire career it won't be a huge deal. But, the worst case scenario could have a significant impact to the start of his pro career if he gets COVID there, has to isolate in a hotel room doing nothing and probably not getting great medical care, and then has lingering effects that linger through this off season and perhaps into next season.

For example, there are people that didn't want Rossi in an Eichel trade because of the lingering effects of his bout with COVID from last season.

He could blow out his ACL in his next game. He could get mono. He could rupture an Achilles. He could fracture a vertebra. He could break a leg, or an arm, or a jaw. None of these would be good for his development........but they all happen.

I've got zero issue if he wants to go over there and play for his country in the Olympics. Let him go and play. If he gets COVID, so be it. Hell, he could also do anything I mentioned in the first paragraph too.

Can't wrap him in bubble wrap and expect him to develop.

 

[ValJamesDuex]

Power will get COVID, quarantined in China, sent to work in the salt mines, and he’ll never be seen again. Because Buffalo……

This is one damaged fan base! lol

 

[Diaspora]

Power will get COVID, quarantined in China, sent to work in the salt mines, and he’ll never be seen again. Because Buffalo……

Oh, c'mon. Salt mines are where you get sent in Soviet Russia. In China, you get sent to work in the iPhone factory.

 

[Old Navy Goat]

Oh, c'mon. Salt mines are where you get sent in Soviet Russia. In China, you get sent to work in the iPhone factory.

Just Do It

 

[TheHelmet]

Hopefully Virtanen gets picked and gets Covid in China. Leipsic too.

Forgot about Virtanen, had no idea he washed up in Russia

 

[Jim Bob]

 

[Chainshot]

Oh hey, someone asked him. Love the Canadian Hockey Punditry© just making assumptions as though they know.

 

[UnleashRasmus]

Any international competition for a player at a young age (see Quinn as well) is amazing for their projection and confidence. Again, anything than can help naturalize the curve I think is a great thing. For both Owen Powers and Jack Quinn (I think I saw something saying he might be tabbed).

 

[Zman5778]

Any international competition for a player at a young age (see Quinn as well) is amazing for their projection and confidence. Again, anything than can help naturalize the curve I think is a great thing. For both Owen Powers and Jack Quinn (I think I saw something saying he might be tabbed).

Quinn's on an ELC, which is an NHL contract, so Buffalo would have to give the OK for him to go. I don't see that happening.

Power is not on an ELC, so he can go if he so chooses.

 

[Jim Bob]

Quinn's on an ELC, which is an NHL contract, so Buffalo would have to give the OK for him to go. I don't see that happening.

Power is not on an ELC, so he can go if he so chooses.

With the NHL pulling out, Dreger has said any players on NHL contracts are not eligible to go.

So, Quinn, Krebs, and Peterka are not going. Perfetti was another guy who was getting thrown in there as a possibility.

Dreger said the only players that have signed an NHL contract that might go would be players like Mason MacTavish that have been returned to their CHL team.

It will also be interesting to see how Michigan handles it. They did block Power playing in the WJCs last year...

 

[Chainshot]

I for one am looking forward to seeing him back on the ice tomorrow against UMass.

 

[Jim Bob]