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

[jmelm]

I wonder what they claim at customs with that thing in the luggage.

They probably just hide it in plain sight wrapped in with all the hockey sticks.

 

[Bobby Bottle Service]

I keep saying "Jay Bouwmeester" for a reason.

He was large, skated VERY, was always in good position and had a great IQ. Had a very long and distinguished career, but was never "that guy".

I'd be 100% OK with Power doing that.

Opie = Larry Robinson.

6 cups here we come.

 

[Zach716]

Anyone else thinking that if Opie had played all season over Miller/Butch that the Sabres would have been in playoff contention?

Only if he could fill in as the next Hasek.

 

[Jim Bob]

 

[truthbluth]

Anyone else thinking that if Opie had played all season over Miller/Butch that the Sabres would have been in playoff contention?

Is he a goalie?

 

[truthbluth]

I keep saying "Jay Bouwmeester" for a reason.

He was large, skated VERY, was always in good position and had a great IQ. Had a very long and distinguished career, but was never "that guy".

I'd be 100% OK with Power doing that.

Don’t hate this comp, but Power is significantly more skilled in the Ozone. For his career, JB averaged about 25pts/season. I expect Power to be closer to 40, with a few 50+ point campaigns.

 

[CowbellConray]

Don’t hate this comp, but Power is significantly more skilled in the Ozone. For his career, JB averaged about 25pts/season. I expect Power to be closer to 40, with a few 50+ point campaigns.

If Power can develop his defensive game and gain some mass (something I expect him to do) we could be looking at a Hedman comp. Hedman isn't an extremely physical defender, but uses his skating and reach to swallow attackers at will. Hedman has found another offensive gear over the last 3ish years that I dont think Power can replicate, but if Power is 55-60 points a year with that size and reach..... enticing

 

[CowbellConray]

Everyone remember a few years ago when there was the rumor Karlsson was going to Tampa and they would have Hedman and Karlsson on their backend? Might one pray the Sabres get that with Power and Dahlin in 4-5 years?

 

[Chainshot]

Everyone remember a few years ago when there was the rumor Karlsson was going to Tampa and they would have Hedman and Karlsson on their backend? Might one pray the Sabres get that with Power and Dahlin in 4-5 years?

It's not like Karlsson didn't land on a team that didn't already have an established star offensive defenseman in Burns. In terms of having a couple of quality PMD's in prime years, there are a few examples out there. It could be they set their own course if they keep both around, becoming a team that others will have conversations about "The Buffalo Model" (big, mobile PMD defense with quick forwards?).

It's a different era, but this reminds me a bit of the Habs Big Three with Robinson, Lapointe and Serge Savard or perhaps the Bourque-Park Bruins is a better tandem to look at. Either way, they are in uncharted waters and it's fun to speculate.

 

[Jim Bob]

 

[Jim Bob]

 

[The Blunder Years]

I didn’t realize he is this good. Small sample size but he just looks fantastic. Biggest thing I’ve noticed is how elite he is at evading pressure in the d zone and breaking out. He had this one crazy break out pass to someone yesterday after dodging a fire checker.

We might have two 60 point defensemen in a few years. Has that ever happened in Buffalo?

 

[Der Jaeger]

I keep saying "Jay Bouwmeester" for a reason.

He was large, skated VERY, was always in good position and had a great IQ. Had a very long and distinguished career, but was never "that guy".

I'd be 100% OK with Power doing that.

Stylistically, yes, agreed. I think we'll see more points from Power, but game style is spot on. I used that comparison during his draft year.

 

[The Blunder Years]

Stylistically, yes, agreed. I think we'll see more points from Power, but game style is spot on. I used that comparison during his draft year.

Power is kind of like Tage in my mind where his size and skill set are incredibly rare and unique. Early career Jbow was one of the better two way D’s in the league. Could see Power playing a similar role. Stylistically I see some Brent burns in his game

 

[Chainshot]

I didn’t realize he is this good. Small sample size but he just looks fantastic. Biggest thing I’ve noticed is how elite he is at evading pressure in the d zone and breaking out. He had this one crazy break out pass to someone yesterday after dodging a fire checker.

We might have two 60 point defensemen in a few years. Has that ever happened in Buffalo?

No. Housley had a year with 81 and his partner Bodger had 48 that season. That's probably the best overall but they did play a lot together until they got split up in the playoffs.

 

[WhereAreTheCookies]

We might have two 60 point defensemen in a few years. Has that ever happened in Buffalo?

It's not happened that I'm aware of. The only Dmen Buffalo has ever had score over 60 that I can recall are Van Boxmeer and Housley. There was a season where Van Boxmeer had 69 and Dunn had 49, one where Van Boxmeer had 68 and Ruff had 48, and then a couple of years Housley was above 60 and Bodger was high 40's.

 

[debaser66]

I don’t see nastiness in him. I think Dahlin is our defenseman with nastiness. As long as he can clear the net and win board battles I couldn’t care less.

His 3 crosschecks rattled Kryou like ragdoll yesterday. I was impressed how strong he is.

 

[Chainshot]

It's not happened that I'm aware of. The only Dmen Buffalo has ever had score over 60 that I can recall are Van Boxmeer and Housley. There was a season where Van Boxmeer had 69 and Dunn had 49, one where Van Boxmeer had 68 and Ruff had 48, and then a couple of years Housley was above 60 and Bodger was high 40's.

Ruff was also playing on wing at times then as well.

 

[Chainshot]

His 3 crosschecks rattled Kryou like ragdoll yesterday. I was impressed how strong he is.

I can't see Kyrou's name without *shudder* thinking of the theme to Caillou. Kill me.

 

[Zman5778]

Don’t hate this comp, but Power is significantly more skilled in the Ozone. For his career, JB averaged about 25pts/season. I expect Power to be closer to 40, with a few 50+ point campaigns.

Stylistically, yes, agreed. I think we'll see more points from Power, but game style is spot on. I used that comparison during his draft year.

Completely agreed that OP is way more offensively skilled offensively than J-Bow. But I was more going for the overall style than the stats specifically.

 

[Ace]

This guys floor is very good nhl player. I’ve rarely seen a defenseman with as little risk attached to such high reward. Confidence is out of control.

 

[Sabres Fan UK]

Wasn’t expecting him to be this smooth and eat minutes this early, pleasantly surprised. Of course there is always going to be a few hiccups here and there but he hasn’t looked out of place at all.

 

[BG82]

Wasn’t expecting him to be this smooth and eat minutes this early, pleasantly surprised. Of course there is always going to be a few hiccups here and there but he hasn’t looked out of place at all.

Definitely gonna be the occasional hiccup over the next couple years but the kid is showing he can play.

I'd like to get a veteran "stay at home" guy to saddle up with OP. We definitely need a veteran presence on the back end with what's shaping up to be some meaningful hockey happening here next year

 

[GrierIsGod123]

He's completely taken me off guard with how confident he is out there. His gap control, IQ, passing, and breakout skills already appear to be elite. He seems really solid on the PK as well. I think they need to try him out on the PP.

I don't know if it's just me, but he's been better than advertised. Observers said he wasn't flashy, which is true to a degree, but his ceiling is extremely high as a true # 1 minute eating d-man that can do everything well.

 

[BG82]

He's completely taken me off guard with how confident he is out there. His gap control, IQ, passing, and breakout skills already appear to be elite. He seems really solid on the PK as well. I think they need to try him out on the PP.

I don't know if it's just me, but he's been better than advertised. Observers said he wasn't flashy, which is true to a degree, but his ceiling is extremely high as a true # 1 minute eating d-man that can do everything well.

I think the high hockey IQ part is overlooked and is my favorite quality. We had our share of highly skilled/low IQ guys. Alex Nylander, Mikhail Grigorenko comes to mind.

I like the Bouwmeester/Hedman hybrid comps. I mentioned he reminds me of Bouwmeester at the same age. OP has a much higher offensive ceiling.