Player Discussion Owen Power, LD (1st overall, 2021) Gentle Giant

[Matt Ress]

Yeah, well factor he's in a better situation, with a team with cap, a competent front office, and having to come to Buffalo. I think in certain cases you'd have to overpay to bring in quality here. We're not a near playoff team.

Id rather overpay a mil or two for a stopgap as apposed to a long term contract.

Although we still have plenty of open wounds, I think around the league the Sabres are gaining traction as a rebuild heading in the right direction with a lot of talent and assets paired with some money to spend. Might not be a horrible fit for mid range guys on the move.

 

[UnleashRasmus]

Id rather overpay a mil or two for a stopgap as apposed to a long term contract.

Although we still have plenty of open wounds, I think around the league the Sabres are gaining traction as a rebuild heading in the right direction with a lot of talent and assets paired with some money to spend. Might not be a horrible fit for mid range guys on the move.

Yeah, I don't think Stecher is more than a 3 year contract. I suppose anyone could offer longer, but I think that's right around what he'll fetch from any team.

 

[Chainshot]

I've watched a lot of Power this season and it seems like he's fighting it right now. He's slumped since that "NHLe" comment with all of four assists in the 11 games since (yes, he's had the hat trick in the U20 game, talking with the Wolverines). I suspect if it doesn't shift as they go into the B10 playoffs (they won last night 4-1, winning tonight 4-0 going into the second period), some people thinking "savior" are going to be very disappointed.

 

[Chainshot]

Woof... pass without pressure at all that goes right to a Spartan in the slot. It goes off the goal post and it remains 4-0.

 

[RecycledEichel]

Wonder if he'll have a similar development curve as Dahlin

 

[toomuchsauce]

Wonder if he'll have a similar development curve as Dahlin

let's hope for something more like Noah Hanifin

 

[RefsIdeas]

I've watched a lot of Power this season and it seems like he's fighting it right now. He's slumped since that "NHLe" comment with all of four assists in the 11 games since (yes, he's had the hat trick in the U20 game, talking with the Wolverines). I suspect if it doesn't shift as they go into the B10 playoffs (they won last night 4-1, winning tonight 4-0 going into the second period), some people thinking "savior" are going to be very disappointed.

I’ve been watching quite a bit too. Seems like his post-Olympics game hasn’t been great at all. Not sure if it’s fatigue, injury or what.

One of my first thoughts watching him post-Olympics is that he’s almost too calm with the puck. He goes in for a defensive zone retrieval nonchalant and takes his time passing it out. The first time I saw it I thought “wow - look at the composure of this kid” which quickly transformed into “okay now move the puck!!”.

When I watched earlier in the year + WJC I was always blown away by how good he was, so I’m certain this is just some sort of slump. Doesn’t make me want to rush to get him on the Sabres after his season though. Maybe let the kid rest after a crazy year.

 

[Fjordy]

He will be fine

 

[Fjordy]

let's hope for something more like Noah Hanifin

I hope he will plays better defensively than Hanifin.

 

[dugman]

Not really relevant, but if Canadians spell it “defence”, should it be “defencively”?

 

[MarkusKetterer]

Not really relevant, but if Canadians spell it “defence”, should it be “defencively”?

We spell it two different ways, depending on what it is we’re talking about.

 

[TheHelmet]

I hope he will plays better defensively than Hanifin.
View attachment 512962

If that doesnt show you the effect of good coaching with systems.
That is really good defensive efficiency increase since Sutter arrived.

 

[Fjordy]

If that doesnt show you the effect of good coaching with systems.
That is really good defensive efficiency increase since Sutter arrived.

Maybe I just haven't looked at his charts this season.

 

[TheHelmet]

Maybe I just haven't looked at his charts this season.

Hanifin is having a solid season
Definitely an impact player, and has the 2nd best defensive efficiency on the flames. Tanev being first

 

[Fjordy]

Hanifin is having a solid season
Definitely an impact player, and has the 2nd best defensive efficiency on the flames. Tanev being first
View attachment 513229

Well, we know firsthand how a coach can influence players, especially when it comes to our leading defenders.

 

[TheHelmet]

Well, we know firsthand how a coach can influence players, especially when it comes to our leading defenders.

Calgary is a great example of the effect coaching can have
I mean colorado usually blows the brakes off everyone at even strength with just absurd shot differentials that the only way you win is your goalie stands on his head.
That Calgary game was right down the line even when they beat them.

 

[old kummelweck]

11. Buffalo is thinking about Owen Power’s defence partner. Who should that be? What type of player? He’s expected to join them this season, so it will be interesting to see if the Sabres pursue someone now.

32 Thoughts: Taking a look around the NHL trade market - Sportsnet.ca

 

[debaser66]

Wonder if he'll have a similar development curve as Dahlin

He will be missing out on the Krueger effect

 

[KiwiGriff]

Not really relevant, but if Canadians spell it “defence”, should it be “defencively”?

In British English, with an ‘S’ is a verb, with a ‘C’ is a noun. Easy way to remember is Rise is doing something and Rice is a thing.

You practise hockey, but is practising “best practice”?

I get it wrong all the time and pretty much just guess unless I can be bothered trying to work it out. TBH the older I get, the more American English makes a whole lot more sense.

 

[Taro Tsujimoto]

 

[Sabre the Win]

Not really relevant, but if Canadians spell it “defence”, should it be “defencively”?

Defence, Defensive, Defensively

Canadian English is just different lol

 

[Chainshot]

I wouldn't be surprised if Luke Hughes fans are upset about which Wolverine is first team and which is second.

 

[tsujimoto74]

I wouldn't be surprised if Luke Hughes fans are upset about which Wolverine is first team and which is second.

I mean, they shouldn't be surprised. Power was clearly the #1D on Michigan.

 

[Chainshot]

I'm really curious how Power stepping into the pro game is going to work out in the short term. There are so many people talking about his game in ways that clearly haven't seen him play that it reminds me of how some latched onto Mitts outlier performance at the U20's to fuel some fever-dream that he was somehow ready and would dominate. It's not that Power has failed to impress in the NCAA - he has, as well as at the WC's and the truncated U20's - it's that people have a fiction about him that they aren't going to be satisfied by how he actually plays the game.

And then there is the possibility that Power is a different sort of defenseman than Luke Hughes in terms of NHL production because they likely will be used differently. It's akin to the teeth-gnashing over the differences between Quinn Hughes and Rasmus Dahlin that still swirl around every now and then (though less and less as Dahlin has grown). I'm curious what the conversation is going to be like because I can see Luke landing with his brother and immediately moving the needle offensively for the Devils when he arrives.

 

[Fjordy]

I'm really curious how Power stepping into the pro game is going to work out in the short term. There are so many people talking about his game in ways that clearly haven't seen him play that it reminds me of how some latched onto Mitts outlier performance at the U20's to fuel some fever-dream that he was somehow ready and would dominate. It's not that Power has failed to impress in the NCAA - he has, as well as at the WC's and the truncated U20's - it's that people have a fiction about him that they aren't going to be satisfied by how he actually plays the game.

And then there is the possibility that Power is a different sort of defenseman than Luke Hughes in terms of NHL production because they likely will be used differently. It's akin to the teeth-gnashing over the differences between Quinn Hughes and Rasmus Dahlin that still swirl around every now and then (though less and less as Dahlin has grown). I'm curious what the conversation is going to be like because I can see Luke landing with his brother and immediately moving the needle offensively for the Devils when he arrives.

Well, he has already played at WC and the Olympics with adult players, the NHL is of course a different level, but it is also unlikely that Granato will immediately let him play 20-22 minutes per game, rather he will get safe time and play a safe game, as he usually does. Even before the draft, I said that Luke Hughes would probably be a more productive player than Power, but Owen could possibly become a more versatile two-way D. Dahlin is just now turning into the type of player who will not be only offensive player, but will also be good on all zones of the ice.