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

[The Blunder Years]

I tried to find a bunch of highlights of Power tonight and there really is not much out there. 90% of his highlight package with Michigan is on the PP. I really don’t know what to expect from him in the short-term. I think Donny is going to be very good for his development though.

 

[MOGlLNY]

I tried to find a bunch of highlights of Power tonight and there really is not much out there. 90% of his highlight package with Michigan is on the PP. I really don’t know what to expect from him in the short-term. I think Donny is going to be very good for his development though.

If you're looking to see what Power brings just based on highlights you're looking at the wrong thing. Watch replays of games to see his impact, he will become very good very quickly.

 

[Chainshot]

As was mentioned elsewhere -

sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/32-thoughts-who-will-be-the-last-player-from-the-2003-nhl-draft/

EF cryptically talking about what could be Power's debut:

9. Canadiens fans are filling my DMs with demands for Jayden Struble updates. The 46th overall selection in 2019 is still deciding on whether or not to return to NCAA Northeastern for his senior season, although it appears he’s leaning that way. Remember: Montreal GM Kent Hughes knows him very well, so the organization won’t panic if the defenceman chooses that route. Teammate Devon Levi told Buffalo he’s returning to Northeastern, and a couple of people who know goalies much better than I do think that’s a smart play by Levi — and not a bad thing for the Sabres. (His rights stay with the NHL team for two more years.) The late-ending NHL season has fans in several markets hoping for post-Frozen Four debuts. Buffalo at Toronto next Tuesday? Hmmmmmmm.

 

[Chainshot]

If you're looking to see what Power brings just based on highlights you're looking at the wrong thing. Watch replays of games to see his impact, he will become very good very quickly.

And when you watch those replays, some of what he does is not going to just jump off the screen. Like, how many people appreciate that he forechecks like a forward, including holding that aggressive pinch to go to the net, even without the puck? Or that he then uses his mobility to get back defensively even after being low in the zone? The way he moves teammates into space on outlets or in the offensive zone? It's not just as easy as some highlight reels of "breakaway, goal", "onetimer, goal", "pass, assist" which are fun but sometimes don't give the nuance of a guys game. And Power has all sorts of nuances that are going to make for a damn good defenseman.

 

[truthbluth]

And when you watch those replays, some of what he does is not going to just jump off the screen. Like, how many people appreciate that he forechecks like a forward, including holding that aggressive pinch to go to the net, even without the puck? Or that he then uses his mobility to get back defensively even after being low in the zone? The way he moves teammates into space on outlets or in the offensive zone? It's not just as easy as some highlight reels of "breakaway, goal", "onetimer, goal", "pass, assist" which are fun but sometimes don't give the nuance of a guys game. And Power has all sorts of nuances that are going to make for a damn good defenseman.

100%. We both know that people are going to lament the pick when he doesn’t have eye popping stats or thunderous hits. Meanwhile, I expect both Beniers and Luke Hughes to put up great rookie numbers. I’m already exhausted with these arguments that haven’t even happened yet.

 

[Chainshot]

100%. We both know that people are going to lament the pick when he doesn’t have eye popping stats or thunderous hits. Meanwhile, I expect both Beniers and Luke Hughes to put up great rookie numbers. I’m already exhausted with these arguments that haven’t even happened yet.

Yeah. I expect Hughes to step into the first NJ PP and he and his brother are going to have some Kreskin/ESP puck movement shenanigans. And Beniers will be the defacto first line center in Seattle and both of those are going to push the point totals. Power is already a guy who has to be watched to be appreciated IMO. There will be scoring, but there will be the overly simplified overviews of "who haz mozt pointz?!?".

 

[truthbluth]

Low key my favorite thing about Power is that his contracts will likely be cheap relative to his importance because he won’t have gaudy stats.

 

[truthbluth]

Yeah. I expect Hughes to step into the first NJ PP and he and his brother are going to have some Kreskin/ESP puck movement shenanigans. And Beniers will be the defacto first line center in Seattle and both of those are going to push the point totals. Power is already a guy who has to be watched to be appreciated IMO. There will be scoring, but there will be the overly simplified overviews of "who haz mozt pointz?!?".

Luke Hughes is my favorite for the Calder next season (Quinn has a legit shot too), because:
1. New Jersey will improve in the standings. They actually have a decent roster and are underperforming.
2. Hughes will have a ton of PP1 time.
3. He’ll get like, 70% Ozone starts
4. His flaws are the kind of things that lose games, but that Calder voters just don’t care about.

 

[internet toughguy]

Let's say he signs and is in the lineup at the earliest against TOR on Tuesday - that gives him max 8 games this season - does his ELC slide because he didn't make 10 games?

 

[jmelm]

Low key my favorite thing about Power is that his contracts will likely be cheap relative to his importance because he won’t have gaudy stats.

Charlie McAvoy doesn't have gaudy stats either, and look at his contract. If Power is similarly stout defensively, he's going to get paid exactly the same way, especially because he's got that #1 overall status (for better or worse).

 

[jc17]

Any ideas on the number, with Quinn and ruots already getting nhl games with 22 and 25?

 

[SundherDome]

If he plays in Buffalo, yes.

Is it still the 9 game slide rule?

 

[Der Jaeger]

Starting to get exciting in Sabreland.

I wonder which jersey number he picks? 44?

 

[Chainshot]

Is it still the 9 game slide rule?

No. He will be in that exception where he is 19 on Sept. 15th but turn 20 prior to Dec. 31st so the way I read that is he will not slide.

​

 

[MarkusKetterer]

Is it still the 9 game slide rule?

That applies to CHL guys. It will burn a year off his contract, but won’t count as a service year (see Mitts, who only played 6 games his 1st year).

 

[Jim Bob]

Any ideas on the number, with Quinn and ruots already getting nhl games with 22 and 25?

With R2 reportedly heading to Europe for next season, there may not be an issue with Power getting #25 in Buffalo.

Although, he could go with #52 for the rest of this year and switch to #25 next year, too.

 

[BuffaloGooner]

Just bought tickets for the Blues game on Thursday. Can’t wait to see his home debut.

 

[zenthusiast]

I wonder if the Sabres would meddle to be sure his nhl debut is at home

 

[tsujimoto74]

Yeah. I expect Hughes to step into the first NJ PP and he and his brother are going to have some Kreskin/ESP puck movement shenanigans. And Beniers will be the defacto first line center in Seattle and both of those are going to push the point totals. Power is already a guy who has to be watched to be appreciated IMO. There will be scoring, but there will be the overly simplified overviews of "who haz mozt pointz?!?".

Meanwhile I'm just sitting over here wistfully daydreaming about what it's gonna be like having one of Dahlin/Power on the ice for 75-80% of every game

 

[WhereAreTheCookies]

And when you watch those replays, some of what he does is not going to just jump off the screen. Like, how many people appreciate that he forechecks like a forward, including holding that aggressive pinch to go to the net, even without the puck? Or that he then uses his mobility to get back defensively even after being low in the zone? The way he moves teammates into space on outlets or in the offensive zone? It's not just as easy as some highlight reels of "breakaway, goal", "onetimer, goal", "pass, assist" which are fun but sometimes don't give the nuance of a guys game. And Power has all sorts of nuances that are going to make for a damn good defenseman.

One thing I'd love to see down the road is for him to develop his physical game. I know it's not part of his game right now, and he doesn't need to play a physical game to be effective, but if he gets a little bit of a mean streak like Dahlin has developed that could be a huge bonus. Not looking at Risto physicality, but more as I said like Dahlin where he picks his spots and does so when the opportunity is there and is the best option. If he doesn't he'll still be a great player, but if he becomes the whole package opposing teams are going to hate playing against him.

 

[Puppa2Miller]

One thing I'd love to see down the road is for him to develop his physical game. I know it's not part of his game right now, and he doesn't need to play a physical game to be effective, but if he gets a little bit of a mean streak like Dahlin has developed that could be a huge bonus. Not looking at Risto physicality, but more as I said like Dahlin where he picks his spots and does so when the opportunity is there and is the best option. If he doesn't he'll still be a great player, but if he becomes the whole package opposing teams are going to hate playing against him.

You just know NHL teams are going to eff with him like he has never been in his life. A guy his size might just learn he enjoys pushing back so much that he starts pushing first.

 

[sabres4ever]

Is there going to be a way to watch their game tomorrow?

Edit: NM, I see where both games are being played on the deuce.

 

[Jim Bob]

Will people say that Dreger has no clue what he is talking about this time?

 

[jc17]

With R2 reportedly heading to Europe for next season, there may not be an issue with Power getting #25 in Buffalo.

Although, he could go with #52 for the rest of this year and switch to #25 next year, too.

52 would be interesting.

Even if r2 is heading out it seems like it would be a little disrespectful to give away 25 while hes still here

 

[Chainshot]

One thing I'd love to see down the road is for him to develop his physical game. I know it's not part of his game right now, and he doesn't need to play a physical game to be effective, but if he gets a little bit of a mean streak like Dahlin has developed that could be a huge bonus. Not looking at Risto physicality, but more as I said like Dahlin where he picks his spots and does so when the opportunity is there and is the best option. If he doesn't he'll still be a great player, but if he becomes the whole package opposing teams are going to hate playing against him.

I'm not so sure that Dahlin became more physical. Dahlin was mean before, he just wasn't imposing it as much. He would blow some people up as a punk 16 or 17 year old in the SHL on occasion. Now that he's grown into his frame and has the confidence to do what he needs to do out there, we see the hits and if we look carefully, we see him being the stick-mean, a-hole Potvin sort of defenseman who is getting guys riled up to play him.

I would like to see more battle out of Power around the net than I've seen at Michigan. He can and should be an efficient guy to pin people out of the play, seal off the outside by just holding them up to the wall -- and he's got the quickness and hands to take the puck he's just separated and move it quickly which is always good IMO. But his style sets up the classic "if he's big, he must be a mangler" disappointment that has permeated an undercurrent of Sabre fandom for generations.

Even if he doesn't get mean, he's still taking away so much of the ice with his size, reach, positioning and stick skills. Thinking about a left side of Dahlin at 6'3", Samuelsson at 6'4"/227 lbs, and now Power at 6'6"? That's some BEEF.