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

[old kummelweck]

This, especially since Power will have more talent around him and a group that has gelled a decent amount. Dahlin had Beaulieu, Scandella, and Risto.

And maybe a shout out to Dan Girardi. Dahlin was talking about him a bit the other day, that the stuff he suggests to him usually works when he tries it in-game scenarios. There hasn't been much talk about the player development coaches and their impact on these young kids. Granato gets a lot of credit, as he should, but the overall coaching staff has gotten better.

 

[jc17]

I'm not expecting power to light it on fire from the jump. If he does, great, but expecting it might be setting up for disappointment. Having granato helps but I'm sure even he would say it will be a process

 

[Abraham de Lacy]

This, especially since Power will have more talent around him and a group that has gelled a decent amount. Dahlin had Beaulieu, Scandella, and Risto.

And .. Zach Bogosian .. whom I personally think got slagged for a lot that wasn't really his doing. Granted .. I only really saw him from 2018 and on-wards. Dahlin and him were paired for quite a bit (as I remember it) and I liked what I saw then. But then the Ralphus virus descended on the team and thoroughly sucked life out of everything ... and Bogosian went to Tampa and got himself a Stanley Cup Ring.

I wouldn't mind a Bogosian type of player as a partner for Owen Power. Power and Dahlin are good enough to not emulate "bad things" but rather use them as counterpoints. Players of this caliber need conservative stay at home partners, not for emulation, but as security while they explore their capability under the positive reinforcement regime of Granato.

 

[Jim Bob]

Some are expecting Power to come in and be a good contributor immediately in the top 4. As amazing as Dahlin is now, it took him years to figure things out. Aren't we going to have to wait years before Power becomes a real asset on the ice?

I definitely think people need to temper their expectations for the type of immediate impact that Power will have in Buffalo.

I do think the fact that they can use Dahlin & Samuelsson to shelter Power and not need him to be a #1D right away is a huge positive. They can use his pair as the one that gets the easier defensive matchups and then give him PP2 time with some pretty talented guys.

Add in that Dahlin had way worse coaching earlier on and I am more excited about Power entering a healthier situation than Dahlin had. But, there will be bumps in the road as no player develops without ups and downs. Especially NHL D.

 

[old kummelweck]

I definitely think people need to temper their expectations for the type of immediate impact that Power will have in Buffalo.

I expect him to come in (22-23) and have a similar impact as Samuelsson on the defensive side of the puck. This kid was logging hours against men in the World Championship and has only gotten better.

 

[Chainshot]

In the immediate, they need him to be better than Butcher.



I'll show myself out.

 

[Jim Bob]

In the immediate, they need him to be better than Butcher.



I'll show myself out.

Thankfully that bar is about as low as the one that my wife's ex left me to step over.

 

[Chainshot]

Thankfully that bar is about as low as the one that my wife's ex left me to step over.

Feeling that one!

Hell, the Flames used to be my WC team and now I see Calgary and think - f*** off! since that's where her current husband is from.

 

[Genny Screamer]

Power makes things seem so easy on the ice. However, he said he wanted to go back to Michigan so he could dominate the competition. He has been very good, but not dominate. It seems like he has never dealt with adversity. I think the step up in competition will help him grow. He will be targeted by the competition like most rookies. How he responds will be most telling. Iron sharpens iron.

 

[jmelm]

Some are expecting Power to come in and be a good contributor immediately in the top 4. As amazing as Dahlin is now, it took him years to figure things out. Aren't we going to have to wait years before Power becomes a real asset on the ice?

No, Power will have a much more seamless transition to the NHL.

1) Power is a late birthday, so he's slightly ahead in his development just to begin with.

2) He's had 2 years playing against older players in the NCAA before making the jump.

3) He didn't enter the NHL right away after his draft, and had another season to develop.

4) Doesn't need to worry about the transition to either the NA game or the NA language & culture.

5) Has played for 2 seasons in a row now in the World Championships and the Olympics, respectively (and may play in the WCs again?), so he's got even more experience playing on those big stages relative to Dahlin.

6) He plays a more simplified, mature and defense-oriented game vs. Dahlin in general.

7) He'll have less presure to be "that guy" on the team, even though I think he could handle it, since he'll be positioned comfortably behind more established guys like Dahlin to begin.

8) He's coming into a much better team with a really positive attitude, compete level and winning more games in general, compared to what Dahlin came into.

So with all of that said, I think he would have had a seamless transition if he had played in the NHL to begin this last season, and he'll certainly hae a very seamless transition coming into the league next year.

 

[Jim Bob]

No, Power will have a much more seamless transition to the NHL.

1) Power is a late birthday, so he's slightly ahead in his development just to begin with.

2) He's had 2 years playing against older players in the NCAA before making the jump.

3) He didn't enter the NHL right away after his draft, and had another season to develop.

4) Doesn't need to worry about the transition to either the NA game or the NA language & culture.

5) Has played for 2 seasons in a row now in the World Championships and the Olympics, respectively (and may play in the WCs again?), so he's got even more experience playing on those big stages relative to Dahlin.

6) He plays a more simplified, mature and defense-oriented game vs. Dahlin in general.

7) He'll have less presure to be "that guy" on the team, even though I think he could handle it, since he'll be positioned comfortably behind more established guys like Dahlin to begin.

8) He's coming into a much better team with a really positive attitude, compete level and winning more games in general, compared to what Dahlin came into.

So with all of that said, I think he would have had a seamless transition if he had played in the NHL to begin this last season, and he'll certainly hae a very seamless transition coming into the league next year.

Very few NHL D have a seamless transition to the pro game.

Plus, we have no clue who is main partner will be.

I would hope for a relatively seamless transition to the pro game for Power. But, I am expecting there to be some growing pains. Especially if a decent segment of fans have sky high expectations for him as a 1OV pick.

 

[jmelm]

Very few NHL D have a seamless transition to the pro game.

Plus, we have no clue who is main partner will be.

I would hope for a relatively seamless transition to the pro game for Power. But, I am expecting there to be some growing pains. Especially if a decent segment of fans have sky high expectations for him as a 1OV pick.

True, but I do think Power has the overall mental maturity and mature game (in addition to all the other factors I listed) to be able to have a seamless transition -- especially because he will not be asked to be a top pairing guy.

I'm sure Dahlin-Joker will be the #1 pair, and hopefully they'll find a good veteran D to play beside Power. If they do and he's on the second pair, playing on the 2nd PP perhaps, and a bit of time on the PK, I think he'll be absolutely fine.

What I don't expect to see is big time offensive numbers in the first year or two. That part of his game will grow over time. But from a responsible defensive standpoint and contributing a little bit offensively here and there, that's what I expect to see from Day 1 of the regular season next year. And having a handful of games at the end of this eason when the Frozen Four is over, that's going to help prepare him that much more.

 

[Fjordy]

It will definitely be easier for Power to move to the NHL than Dahlin, as it's a different team, with a different mindset and coaching staff.

 

[Abraham de Lacy]

It will definitely be easier for Power to move to the NHL than Dahlin, as it's a different team, with a different mindset and coaching staff.

<-- this !!
More fun, more positive reinforcement and better teammates. Emphasis on TEAM. I am surely looking forward to his first game(s).

 

[Buffaloed]

I definitely think people need to temper their expectations for the type of immediate impact that Power will have in Buffalo.

To be on the safe side, I'm expecting him to go back to Michigan for his junior year.

 

[Digable5]

Thankfully that bar is about as low as the one that my wife's ex left me to step over.

I found this picture of Will Butcher with our expectations of him.

 

[KiwiGriff]

Where do you guys think any signing would be announced first? I'm being selfish here. I'm in a keeper Yahoo Fantasy League with a keeper NZ spot. I want Power! Gotta get in before the others, although it might be tough with the timezone differences. He'll probably show up while I'm asleep.

 

[Chainshot]

Where do you guys think any signing would be announced first? I'm being selfish here. I'm in a keeper Yahoo Fantasy League with a keeper NZ spot. I want Power! Gotta get in before the others, although it might be tough with the timezone differences. He'll probably show up while I'm asleep.

Well if it's 7:40 a.m. for you right now and... probably sometime on Monday morning or Monday afternoon Eastern which would be between like 1:00 and 7:00 a.m. in NZ?

 

[KiwiGriff]

Well if it's 7:40 a.m. for you right now and... probably sometime on Monday morning or Monday afternoon Eastern which would be between like 1:00 and 7:00 a.m. in NZ?

Yeah it's Friday morning now and that time is right. Frozen Four playoffs over the weekend ... so makes sense. Monday morning. I don't usually get up early on Mondays, but maybe I go to the 6am BJJ class on Monday, haha.

 

[sabres4ever]

1-0 Denver. Power not on the ice for that GA

 

[joshjull]

 

[Fjordy]

Denver is playing the NHL playoff game and completely dominating,

 

[Sabre the Win]

Some are expecting Power to come in and be a good contributor immediately in the top 4. As amazing as Dahlin is now, it took him years to figure things out. Aren't we going to have to wait years before Power becomes a real asset on the ice?

He won't have Krueger sabotaging him.

 

[5 Minute Major]

I believe, very soon, the Buffalo Sabres will be the envy of the NHL with their young defensive core.

Think about that for a minute,

 

[WeDislikeEich]

Lambert! Game tied!