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

[Deep Blue Metallic]

Well, I guess we've turned the corner on Power. Good to see.

Ya, he's far from perfect right now, but he's just going to get better and better.

 

[Fearnot]

Zucker likes him.

 

[La Cosa Nostra]

It was hilarious when people were seriously wanting to move him this past off season. The kid is turning 22. Most dmen are barely getting games by that age let alone entering 3rd full and 4th season overall. Dahlin and Power will be our Pronger/MacInnis , Niedermayer/Stevens (not by style of play but meaning our team having 2 of the very best dmen in the entire NHL)

 

[Dubi Doo]

Zucker likes him.

And I likes Zucker. What a man!

 

[Jim Bob]

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5943201/2024/11/24/sabres-sharks-ducks-kings-takeaways/

Now 21 games into the season, Power is tied for the league lead among defensemen with 13 five-on-five points. Byram is one behind him with 12. Dahlin, meanwhile, is fifth among NHL defensemen in points at all strengths with 19.

OP is never going to be the physical monster that some want from a defenseman with his size. But, the offensive production at ES is showing up big time. And the team needs it.

 

[Faceboner]

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5943201/2024/11/24/sabres-sharks-ducks-kings-takeaways/

OP is never going to be the physical monster that some want from a defenseman with his size. But, the offensive production at ES is showing up big time. And the team needs it.

as he learns to use his reach advantage more he will be cutting off lanes for the opposition using his size effectively

 

[Chainshot]

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5943201/2024/11/24/sabres-sharks-ducks-kings-takeaways/

OP is never going to be the physical monster that some want from a defenseman with his size. But, the offensive production at ES is showing up big time. And the team needs it.

It's very high event, that's for sure. Something is going in the net, just not sure for which team.

 

[tsujimoto74]

Well, I guess we've turned the corner on Power. Good to see.

Ya, he's far from perfect right now, but he's just going to get better and better.

It’s bizarre how many Sabres fans were sleeping on how good Power is. Glad we seem to be finally moving past that as a fanbase.

 

[SnuggaRUDE]

It’s bizarre how many Sabres fans were sleeping on how good Power is. Glad we seem to be finally moving past that as a fanbase.

This is part of the problem with drafting D 1OA. They just take longer to impact the game. Also there's a large portion of Buffalo who wants to see big players hit people, and their brain goes all Smehlik if they don't.

 

[CowbellConray]

Power has always had the potential to be a Hedman type talent. Size, reach, calm. Hedman can be polarizing for Tampa fans even to this day due to his calm play that some mistake for "lazy".

Hopefully he can continue to grow. He can be a huge asset for us moving forward.

 

[Fjordy]

Power has always had the potential to be a Hedman type talent. Size, reach, calm. Hedman can be polarizing for Tampa fans even to this day due to his calm play that some mistake for "lazy".

Hopefully he can continue to grow. He can be a huge asset for us moving forward.

Dahlin = Hedman , Power = Pietrangelo

It always seemed something like this to me.

 

[CowbellConray]

Dahlin = Hedman , Power = Pietrangelo

It always seemed something like this to me.

Dahlin is too electric with the puck compared to Hedman. I get more Doughty vibes from Dahlin. Power and Hedman have the "calmness" that is so distinct.

 

[Fjordy]

Dahlin is too electric with the puck compared to Hedman. I get more Doughty vibes from Dahlin. Power and Hedman have the "calmness" that is so distinct.

Possibly, although Hedman is still a pretty tough guy compared to Power (for now).

 

[MOGlLNY]

Possibly, although Hedman is still a pretty tough guy compared to Power (for now).

Hedman was not tough when he began his career and like Power, Tampa fans wanted to move him out for supposed "softness".

 

[Fjordy]

Hedman was not tough when he began his career and like Power, Tampa fans wanted to move him out for supposed "softness".

Well, I meant now, not tough, I don't know how to explain it in English, strong, pumped up, something like that.

 

[Deep Blue Metallic]

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5943201/2024/11/24/sabres-sharks-ducks-kings-takeaways/

OP is never going to be the physical monster that some want from a defenseman with his size. But, the offensive production at ES is showing up big time. And the team needs it.

Dahlin was sold as "the next Nik Lidstrom". I see Power's game as more similar to Lidstrom's - effortless skating d-man, never rattled, cerebral play, rock-solid positionally, defensive beast while seldom being aggressively physical.

Okay, he's not Lidstrom (2nd best d-man ever imho; suck it, Borque fans) by a longshot, but you get my point. The tools are there to at least approach that lofty pinnacle.

 

[CowbellConray]

Well, I meant now, not tough, I don't know how to explain it in English, strong, pumped up, something like that.

That's totally fair. I'm trying to put a projection of his career path and skillset, and Hedman to me matches pretty well (assuming continued growth). Hedman was not physical early in his career, didn't get a ton of PP time early, but had size and skating to bank on. Over time he developed his angrier side and then QB'd the PP and racked up points with Stamkos and Kucherov on the wings.

My assumption is that when Power is 27/28 he will have plenty of edge to at least stand up for himself.