Only going to be his third season. No reason to think he can't be a top end D.
Player Discussion Owen Power, D (1st overall, 2021) Calder Finalist
- Thread starter LastWordArmy
- Start date
IMO, Power is going to be a huge reason why the Sabres make the playoffs this season.
His transition and passing game are so next level. What I am curious to see is if an emphasis on more in-zone time, more settled offense moving pucks and bodies to the net will unlock one of his strengths from other tiers - that being his ability to pinch into traditionally forward spots to provide pass-shot options low in the slot. In Chicago and then in Michigan, he'd have shifts where he'd go into those areas and even just provide the option for the wall forward to make a play or give the goalie something else to think about. Think about the goals in the COVID cancelled U20's game where he had the hat trick.
That wasn't really something that popped with the way Buffalo was so often a one-and-done rush team. Ruff's Devils were not that, thinking the demand will be for more people to go to the net, for more work on the walls to maintain and extend plays, which will give him more opportunities to flex deep into the zone. I can recall times thinking "that big forward is the best Wolverine on the ice... oh, it's Power" at times when he was in Michigan.
I don't hate the kid. I do see someone who has limitations in his d-zone read and reaction, his willingness or lack thereof to engage his check in contested areas, etc... and hope he is able to polish some of that off so he's even more of an ice tilting presence if teams aren't getting as many chances on the ice with him standing around, watching a good game.
That wasn't really something that popped with the way Buffalo was so often a one-and-done rush team. Ruff's Devils were not that, thinking the demand will be for more people to go to the net, for more work on the walls to maintain and extend plays, which will give him more opportunities to flex deep into the zone. I can recall times thinking "that big forward is the best Wolverine on the ice... oh, it's Power" at times when he was in Michigan.
I don't hate the kid. I do see someone who has limitations in his d-zone read and reaction, his willingness or lack thereof to engage his check in contested areas, etc... and hope he is able to polish some of that off so he's even more of an ice tilting presence if teams aren't getting as many chances on the ice with him standing around, watching a good game.
WhereAreTheCookies
Registered User
Hopefully once he gets married that helps unleash some of the anger.
Unfortunately that tends to take a few years ; )
"I could turn this kid into the next Tyler Myers" -Ruff (possibly)
Beerz
Registered User
- Jun 28, 2011
- 36,818
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I'm hopeful with his offensive game. Still skeptical on his defensive game.
Engaged at 21. All hockey sense, no horse sense.
Ah . . . Youth is wasted on the young.
Doug Prishpreed
Registered User
Lindy will not accept what we saw last year. He'll either make him serviceable defensively at ES, or cause him to request a trade lol.
debaser66
Registered User
- Mar 10, 2012
- 5,117
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I think he will be fine, his defensive dwarts will be less visible in a more structured system.
Moncton man
Registered User
Jim Bob
RIP RJ
Global Series blog: Owen Power | NHL.com
Sabres defenseman previews trip ahead of flight to Munich
www.nhl.com
ValJamesDuex
Registered User
- Nov 4, 2021
- 10,975
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Needs to become a man next, getting married one step, going to the gym every day and learning boxing next.
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Panthaz89
Buffalo Sabres, Carolina Panthers fan
But but but I heard Sanderson was better than him at everything and has 1 even strength points this season 
Royal Thunder
Frolunda Mode
- Feb 21, 2012
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Crazy he just turned 22 and is already so good. When he’s like 26 and fully confident he is going to be a horse
My overall assessment of Power's impact on games is definitely much more positive this year than it was last year. He could still get bullied for his lunch money by a 10 year old child, but you don't need to eat nails for breakfast to help a team in this league.
Dubi Doo
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- Aug 27, 2008
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The fact he's leading all NHL defensemen with ES scoring is incredibly impressive at his age. I'd be hard pressed to trade him. You cant teach that type of production, but you can teach defense.
Fjordy
私たちはそうでした - 私たちはそうではありません。
- Jun 20, 2018
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There is no point in us trading him, getting a 2C if we really need it will be much easier than finding a defenseman like Power, with such potential. We have to build around Dahlin and Power.
MOGlLNY
Registered User
- Jan 5, 2008
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He also has the most EV strength points in Sabres defenseman history through 20 games. You know it’s good when you’re beating Housley’s offensive numbers
