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

[TheMistyStranger]

The above is what I’m talking about. He’s going to be a lot better than Richard Smehlik and Eric Johnson.

He doesn’t have the intimidation factor, but everything else about him is Larry Robinson, and that will be his ceiling.

People say they don’t see offensive upside. He was the highest scoring defenceman in the entire USHL at 17, at close to a point a game.

How many 18 year-old defencemen have scored at a better pace than Power’s 16 points in 26 games? Cale Makar, in comparison, had 21 points in 34 games as a 19-year-old freshman. Johnson had 24 in 41 as a 19-year-old freshman.

He‘s not Dahlin on offence, but he’s going to surprise you guys.

I meant more stylistically

 

[GOALOFSSON]

Finally, I am optimistic about our defensive line in the future.

Dahlin + Power is really nice to have.

Even better to also have Joker and probably Johnson/Samuelsson.




@Satanphonehome I agree his offense is underrated, should have no problem playing on the level of a 1D.

Don't think he'll be the greatest Sabres defenseman of all time though. That honor goes to his soon to be teammate Dahlin.

 

[Washed Up 29YearOld]

I think he'll make a decent d-man but more what you'd expect from a #20-30th overall D-man in a typical draft, not #1. Not setting myself to be disappointed and don't mean to be a buzzkill. Short covid season, fits an org. need. I'm fine with it.

 

[Jim Bob]

I think he'll make a decent d-man but more what you'd expect from a #20-30th overall D-man in a typical draft, not #1. Not setting myself to be disappointed and don't mean to be a buzzkill. Short covid season, fits an org. need. I'm fine with it.

A 6'6" smooth skating defenseman who has put up good numbers and looked good at the World Championships will never fall to the 20s in the draft.

For example, Tyler Myers went 12OV after putting up 19 pts in 65 games for Kelowna. And that was ahead of D like Erik Karlsson and John Carlson.

A big D that will skate will always have a team that will roll the dice on them early.

 

[elchud]

His floor is a #3, 21 minutes a night. The question is what his ceiling will be. If he slots #3 with the Sabres eventually hopefully that will be to build two top pairs.

 

[Jim Bob]

His floor is a #3, 21 minutes a night. The question is what his ceiling will be. If he slots #3 with the Sabres eventually hopefully that will be to build two top pairs.

I expect Power to be the second best D the Sabres have as soon as the 2022-23 season. Building a D corps with Dahlin anchoring one pair and Power another pair is a good start.

 

[jc17]

His floor is a #3, 21 minutes a night. The question is what his ceiling will be. If he slots #3 with the Sabres eventually hopefully that will be to build two top pairs.

I think its pretty hard to accurately define a floor.

When you have players, especially dmen, with a lot of tools they tend to have long nhl careers but with varying impact.

Risto was probably also a guy with a #3 21 minute floor, which he technically lived up to, but most were not happy with his contributions. The same for a guys like Myers, bogo, Johnson,

So while he does have a high floor, there's a lot of room between his floor and what fans expect/ want him to be

 

[SnuggaRUDE]

The above is what I’m talking about. He’s going to be a lot better than Richard Smehlik and Eric Johnson.

He doesn’t have the intimidation factor, but everything else about him is Larry Robinson, and that will be his ceiling.

People say they don’t see offensive upside. He was the highest scoring defenceman in the entire USHL at 17, at close to a point a game.

How many 18 year-old freshmen defencemen have scored at a better pace than Power’s 16 points in 26 games? Cale Makar, in comparison, had 21 points in 34 games as a 19-year-old freshman. Johnson had 24 in 41 as a 19-year-old freshman.

He‘s not Dahlin on offence, but he’s going to surprise you guys.

The recently drafted high end NCAA D all have been significantly more productive than Power was. Hughes, Werenski, McAvoy. Power's numbers are closer to Hanifin's

 

[jc17]

The recently drafted high end NCAA D all have been significantly more productive than Power was. Hughes, Werenski, McAvoy. Power's numbers are closer to Hanifin's

Largely due to secondary assists though. Remove those, and hes 2nd to hughes.

Even if you add back secondary assists at even strength, because they aren't meaningless, he's still only behind QH, despite 1 secondary assist.

I don't know how much value is in pp secondary assists

 

[Jim Bob]

The recently drafted high end NCAA D all have been significantly more productive than Power was. Hughes, Werenski, McAvoy. Power's numbers are closer to Hanifin's

What is your definition of significantly?

In their NCAA Draft years, here is what they put up points-wised based on 37 games played projections:

Power 23pts
McAvoy 25pts
Werenski 26pts
Hughes 29pts

I wouldn't call the 2 or 3 points over 37 games between Power and McAvoy and Werenski significant.

 

[SnuggaRUDE]

Largely due to secondary assists though. Remove those, and hes 2nd to hughes.

Even if you add back secondary assists at even strength, because they aren't meaningless, he's still only behind QH, despite 1 secondary assist.

I don't know how much value is in pp secondary assists

I'd put low value on them if one player gets pp time and the other doesn't.

 

[SnuggaRUDE]

What is your definition of significantly?

In their NCAA Draft years, here is what they put up points-wised based on 37 games played projections:

Power 23pts
McAvoy 25pts
Werenski 26pts
Hughes 29pts

I wouldn't call the 2 or 3 points over 37 games between Power and McAvoy and Werenski significant.

It's over 10% difference, we can agree to disagree.

 

[Der Jaeger]

It's over 10% difference, we can agree to disagree.

this is where stats and analytics go wrong

 

[JThorne]

I'm in the "prove it" mode with the Sabres and developing defensemen(or anyone). Floor this and ceiling that, is all just speculation. Nobody knows anything other than the Sabres suck at developing players.

 

[Satanphonehome]

What is your definition of significantly?

In their NCAA Draft years, here is what they put up points-wised based on 37 games played projections:

Power 23pts
McAvoy 25pts
Werenski 26pts
Hughes 29pts

I wouldn't call the 2 or 3 points over 37 games between Power and McAvoy and Werenski significant.

The suggestion was he was lacking offence. I say that's overstated.
The truth is he has 18-year-old numbers comparable to some of the best offensive defencemen to come out of the NCAA in recent years.

 

[joshjull]

Power first team/Johnson second team.


Minny/Michigan should be a lot of fun

 

[Fjordsen]

Power first team/Johnson second team.


Minny/Michigan should be a lot of fun

We need Lewandowski

 

[joshjull]

 

[jc17]

I think the preseason player polls are strange. Do other college sports do that?

 

[BuffaloGooner]

I think the preseason player polls are strange. Do other college sports do that?

Yes they do. Pre-season Heisman lists and All-American lists are very much a thing in football.

 

[flashsabre]

3v3 Champs. Those bookends look interesting and promising.

 

[Zman5778]

Power has a serious head of hair.

 

[Jacob582]

Power has a serious head of hair.

I hope he's still with the Sabres when his looks like Getzlaf's.

 

[Paxon]

Power has a serious head of hair.

Boy's got that live-action anime adaptation hair

 

[TheMistyStranger]

Boy's got that live-action anime adaptation hair

Has the last name for it, too