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

[Chainshot]

Yes, and he's obviously way too young to be doing that at the NHL level, but for a player of his size it's not great to see him get beaten off the puck that frequently in college games. Maybe I'm being unfair.

Maybe this is just my own issue; I don't like the NCAA as a development stream for high-end defensemen.

Physical confrontation is not his style in the d-zone. There is technique that can be improved upon, that's for sure, but his game is very much about how he gets up the ice and plays in the offensive zone. He's also going to drive the usual WNY crew nuts because while he is 6'6", he is not aggressive with his size. And that's one of those things that some WNYers just can never look beyond because they can't get that temperament has nothing to do with physical stature.

 

[MarkusKetterer]

Physical confrontation is not his style in the d-zone. There is technique that can be improved upon, that's for sure, but his game is very much about how he gets up the ice and plays in the offensive zone. He's also going to drive the usual WNY crew nuts because while he is 6'6", he is not aggressive with his size. And that's one of those things that some WNYers just can never look beyond because they can't get that temperament has nothing to do with physical stature.

It’s like that everywhere. I was looking at the Soo Thunderbirds stats of this season and saw a Kenny Belanger Jr. (I was looking at Andrew Gibson originally to see his pre-OHL stats, who WILL be a 1st rounder next year), and despite being taller than most everyone and his genetics (his dad is former goon Ken Belanger) is apparently nothing like his dad. And I’ve heard people complain he’s not some guy who runs you over or just punches you.

 

[member 334057]

It’s like that everywhere. I was looking at the Soo Thunderbirds stats of this season and saw a Kenny Belanger Jr. (I was looking at Andrew Gibson originally to see his pre-OHL stats, who WILL be a 1st rounder next year), and despite being taller than most everyone and his genetics (his dad is former goon Ken Belanger) is apparently nothing like his dad. And I’ve heard people complain he’s not some guy who runs you over or just punches you.

I think a lot of them get the physical part of the game coached out of them when they are young, especially if they physically matured before their peers. A kid like Power could really hurt some of the kids he'd have been playing against just due to his size. I wouldn't necessarily rule out him becoming more physical as his career progresses, but obviously I'm not expecting it to happen either if that makes sense.

 

[littletonhockeycoach]

I think a lot of them get the physical part of the game coached out of them when they are young, especially if they physically matured before their peers. A kid like Power could really hurt some of the kids he'd have been playing against just due to his size. I wouldn't necessarily rule out him becoming more physical as his career progresses, but obviously I'm not expecting it to happen either if that makes sense.

Interesting set of points. Really set me to thinking about my past experiences realizing that perhaps a lot of big kids never realize their potential when they get older because the youth sport is now (IMO) deemphasizing physical play.

Starts at Squirts and Peewees and is made worse for them with body checking delayed until Bantams.

Yeah, I've read the USA Hockey medical justifications for the delay. I'm old school and really never bought in.

 

[SnuggaRUDE]

Physical confrontation is not his style in the d-zone. There is technique that can be improved upon, that's for sure, but his game is very much about how he gets up the ice and plays in the offensive zone. He's also going to drive the usual WNY crew nuts because while he is 6'6", he is not aggressive with his size. And that's one of those things that some WNYers just can never look beyond because they can't get that temperament has nothing to do with physical stature.

Co-signing the way some people can't get over temperament/stature. It's more like i'm concerned about him getting out finessed in the corners against relatively low level comp. That's only going to get worse in the NHL when everyone can either stick-handle you or crush you. While at the same time they're so much faster in transition than in the NCAA, turning up ice against those backchecks isn't trivial.

Please just tell me this is mountains & molehills, because I haven't watched him play this year.

 

[ValJamesDuex]

For people who think he's going to solve all their d-zone play... it's going to be the usual Sabre fan let-down.

Someone be sure to whisper this to KA please

 

[Chainshot]

Co-signing the way some people can't get over temperament/stature. It's more like i'm concerned about him getting out finessed in the corners against relatively low level comp. That's only going to get worse in the NHL when everyone can either stick-handle you or crush you. While at the same time they're so much faster in transition than in the NCAA, turning up ice against those backchecks isn't trivial.

Please just tell me this is mountains & molehills, because I haven't watched him play this year.

He has moments, but he's an offensive player first and foremost. There are very much things he does in and around the crease that the people who want to run Dahlin out of town on an Ikea rail are going to freak out about.

I'm concerned that people think he's going to come in and fix this team's defense because they haven't watched him and saw the stats from two months ago about his scoring pace and think that he's still doing that still. The expectations are going to make some people bitter real soon.

 

[Zman5778]

Maybe this is just my own issue; I don't like the NCAA as a development stream for high-end defensemen.

Duncan Keith would like a word. And Ryan Suter. And Ryan McDonagh. And Torey Krug. And Zach Werenski. And Colton Parayko. And Erik Johnson. And Cale Makar. And Adam Fox. And Charlie McAvoy. And Quinn Hughes.

Shall I continue?

 

[Asymmetric Solution]

Duncan Keith would like a word. And Ryan Suter. And Ryan McDonagh. And Torey Krug. And Zach Werenski. And Colton Parayko. And Erik Johnson. And Cale Makar. And Adam Fox. And Charlie McAvoy. And Quinn Hughes.

Shall I continue?

Bums

 

[Diaspora]

He has moments, but he's an offensive player first and foremost. There are very much things he does in and around the crease that the people who want to run Dahlin out of town on an Ikea rail are going to freak out about.

I'm concerned that people think he's going to come in and fix this team's defense because they haven't watched him and saw the stats from two months ago about his scoring pace and think that he's still doing that still. The expectations are going to make some people bitter real soon.

There's an argument to be made that the best way to prevent goals against is to play the game in the o-zone.

You can win with skill and power or you can win with rope-a-dope and counterpunch. Either way your goalie needs to be a major force.

 

[Chainshot]

There's an argument to be made that the best way to prevent goals against is to play the game in the o-zone.

You can win with skill and power or you can win with rope-a-dope and counterpunch. Either way your goalie needs to be a major force.

A similar comment could be made about Dahlin who is very, very good at moving the puck. Power is as well.

The commentary about what ails the defense though is not about the times they move the puck, but about how they play in their own zone. That isn't going to change dramatically with the addition of just one player.

 

[Zach716]

A similar comment could be made about Dahlin who is very, very good at moving the puck. Power is as well.

The commentary about what ails the defense though is not about the times they move the puck, but about how they play in their own zone. That isn't going to change dramatically with the addition of just one player.

I view our left side as more offensive and skilled. I wish we could clone Sammy x3 and make them all 24 and right handed

 

[SnuggaRUDE]

Duncan Keith would like a word. And Ryan Suter. And Ryan McDonagh. And Torey Krug. And Zach Werenski. And Colton Parayko. And Erik Johnson. And Cale Makar. And Adam Fox. And Charlie McAvoy. And Quinn Hughes.

Shall I continue?

Your numerator is lacking a denominator. It might be more accurate to say I find success in the NCAA to be an erratic predictor of success in the NHL.

 

[joshjull]

Matches up with the eyeballs - he's very good at moving the puck and doing things offensively but he is not yet a defensive stalwart in the sense of defending. Also note, he carries the puck out and carries the puck in - he is not usually passing the puck over distance in transition with Michigan which is part of the roster composition and part of how well he moves with the puck.

I’m curious how they got some of those stats. Does @InStatHockey have someone watching tape of those guys? They very well may

The stats in categories like Dekes, Defense and Transition would require game viewing.

 

[BuffaloGooner]

A similar comment could be made about Dahlin who is very, very good at moving the puck. Power is as well.

The commentary about what ails the defense though is not about the times they move the puck, but about how they play in their own zone. That isn't going to change dramatically with the addition of just one player.

I have a small theory based off no numbers at all because I’m unsure what type of numbers I’d be looking for that part of what ails a lot of our defensive coverage is heavily related to wing play. If I’m way off base I’d like to know so I can reevaluate how I watch.

Just via the eye test, it’s insanely difficult for our wingers to even chip the puck into the neutral zone which leads to prolonged defensive zone time thus worse numbers for the Dmen. Not sure if that makes any sense or not but that’s what my eyes see far too much.

 

[joshjull]

I have a small theory based off no numbers at all because I’m unsure what type of numbers I’d be looking for that part of what ails a lot of our defensive coverage is heavily related to wing play. If I’m way off base I’d like to know so I can reevaluate how I watch.

Just via the eye test, it’s insanely difficult for our wingers to even chip the puck into the neutral zone which leads to prolonged defensive zone time thus worse numbers for the Dmen. Not sure if that makes any sense or not but that’s what my eyes see far too much.

I think I get what your saying. The forwards are big part of the problem we have with clearing the zone. The don’t consistently make the smart simple plays to keep the puck moving out of the zone.


I’d add to that they have a tendency to cheat the zone. It leaves big gaps and the dmen struggling to deal with a forecheck no one in puck support.

 

[The Blunder Years]

Yes, and he's obviously way too young to be doing that at the NHL level, but for a player of his size it's not great to see him get beaten off the puck that frequently in college games. Maybe I'm being unfair.

Maybe this is just my own issue; I don't like the NCAA as a development stream for high-end defensemen.

I think it’s better than the CHL because they can get reps against more physically mature players and not a bunch of teenagers. On the other hand I feel that playing overseas doesn’t always allow for reps in all situations. Hard for young players to get good ice time in some of those leagues. So I think NCAA is a decent middle ground between the two

 

[Diaspora]

I think I get what your saying. The forwards are big part of the problem we have with clearing the zone. The don’t consistently make the smart simple plays to keep the puck moving out of the zone.


I’d add to that they have a tendency to cheat the zone. It leaves big gaps and the dmen struggling to deal with a forecheck no one in puck support.

That description sounds right to me. I thought I heard DG say that offensive development happens first and better defensive play gets added later (might have dreamt it). Do you suppose that's a developmental thing being encouraged/ignored by the coach or a failure to play the system correctly?

And then there's the guys who just aren't that good.

 

[Chainshot]

I’m curious how they got some of those stats. Does @InStatHockey have someone watching tape of those guys? They very well may

The stats in categories like Dekes, Defense and Transition would require game viewing.

This is what they do per game - https://instatsport.com/content/31574849140_AK BARS CSKA Match report.pdf

They have 4-6 people watch each game to build that stat profile.

 

[Chainshot]

I have a small theory based off no numbers at all because I’m unsure what type of numbers I’d be looking for that part of what ails a lot of our defensive coverage is heavily related to wing play. If I’m way off base I’d like to know so I can reevaluate how I watch.

Just via the eye test, it’s insanely difficult for our wingers to even chip the puck into the neutral zone which leads to prolonged defensive zone time thus worse numbers for the Dmen. Not sure if that makes any sense or not but that’s what my eyes see far too much.

When they were playing well, they had four men below the faceoff dots who would then turn, in unison, and move up ice. The fifth "high" forward was not out of the zone until they established possession. That has gotten ragged as the season has progressed and is now not something they are doing as consistently as they were to open the year. But very much, there is evidence that forward play has a bigger impact on improving team defensive results than defensemen do.

 

[Chainshot]

 

[joshjull]

This is what they do per game - https://instatsport.com/content/31574849140_AK BARS CSKA Match report.pdf

They have 4-6 people watch each game to build that stat profile.

Thank you for the info. That’s an approach that should lead to gathering good data to use.

 

[Dingo44]

No shock that Wheeler has Power as the Sabres #1 prospect in his annual ranking of NHL prospect pools (Sabres are #1)

Wheeler’s 2022 NHL prospect pool rankings: No. 1 Buffalo Sabres – The Athletic

1. Owen Power, LHD, 19 (University of Michigan)
Power has blown me away this year. He was the best player on the ice by a wide margin when I went down to Ann Arbour to watch the Wolverines play at the end of November. And he was equally impressive in Edmonton before the world juniors were cancelled. I think he’s the best player in college hockey this season. He walks through traffic with such ease for his size (6-foot-6), side-stepping defenders to his backhand and then making plays off of his backhand to teammates as coverage caves in on him. He’s activating to join the rush, even while shorthanded. He understands when to sling a quick one-touch pass and when to hang onto it. He’s attacking off the line with ease. He hits seams as soon as they open. He makes a ton of little plays on outlets under pressure. His ability to play off of his heels and the push to his toes, given his size, is remarkable. He’s got this uncanny ability to spin under pressure in the corner, dragging pucks through his feet and pivoting in one smooth motion to escape and advance the play. He sees the ice beautifully in possession. He wants to be involved deep into the offensive zone whenever he can. He shapes play on his edges with his footwork and crossovers like a smaller player. He breaks down the play and executes east-to-west at an advanced level. His unique skating ability for his size allows him to cover the sheet quickly, though there are still times when I’d like to see him be more aggressive defending in neutral ice (he does a great job filling and taking space inside the defensive zone on the penalty kill). He does a wonderful job adjusting around the first layer. He consistently reads the play effectively, processing at high speeds when pace ratchets up. I’m extremely confident he’s going to be a star in the NHL at this point and I can’t wait to see him in the NHL.

 

[Willgamesh]

No shock that Wheeler has Power as the Sabres #1 prospect in his annual ranking of NHL prospect pools (Sabres are #1)

Wheeler’s 2022 NHL prospect pool rankings: No. 1 Buffalo Sabres – The Athletic

Thanks for posting these. Can't wait for the Power Tower.

 

[Chainshot]