I don't disagree with the premise that OP may be overpaid next season.
Yet, at this time last season, OP was viewed as the 2nd coming.
I wonder what next season brings, especially if Adams hires a competent coaching who hires a competent staff.
I will say he plays an extremely soft game..that needs to change no matter.
- IonSabres

He’s barely 21. I don’t think many of you understand how NHL defensemen usually develop.

At 20 last year and a rookie. He played like he was a 25 year old vet.

He’s fine.

Dahlin at 21 ….. should we have traded him as well?

We know buff36 100000% would have traded Dahlin already.

He’s barely 21. I don’t think many of you understand how NHL defensemen usually develop.

At 20 last year and a rookie. He played like he was a 25 year old vet.

He’s fine.

Dahlin at 21 ….. should we have traded him as well?

We know buff36 100000% would have traded Dahlin already.
- Sabretooth9

He’s barely 21. I don’t think many of you understand how NHL defensemen usually develop.

At 20 last year and a rookie. He played like he was a 25 year old vet.

He’s fine.

Dahlin at 21 ….. should we have traded him as well?

We know buff36 100000% would have traded Dahlin already.
- Sabretooth9

So I see you want to talk, well back when Dahlin was winning the Green Jacket and the Sabres didn’t have a plan on how to mentor or develop him. Which they are doing the same to Power. If the right package had come along, yeah I would probably have traded him. Glad they didn't but still think he isn't the Hockey player he could be if the Sabres weren't a horrible Organization and had developed him right. Kid basically learning as he goes. There aren't to many players I wouldn't trade if I believed it made my Overall Team Better.

He’s barely 21. I don’t think many of you understand how NHL defensemen usually develop.


- Sabretooth9

the special ones are really good at 21

bourque, pronger, leetch, nieds etc


power is being paid to be special and it's a cap era

he should be a force clearing the front of the net, and he is not
he should be a bull carrying the puck out of the corner, and he is not
he has the physical presence of a 6 year old

right now, he is closer to a bust, cam barker, than those 4 special d men I mentioned


you guys need to just stop with excuses

. There aren't to many players I wouldn't trade if I believed it made my Overall Team Better.
- Buff36

I can think of 1 must keep player on the roster

just 1

the special ones are really good at 21

bourque, pronger, leetch, nieds etc


power is being paid to be special and it's a cap era

he should be a force clearing the front of the net, and he is not
he should be a bull carrying the puck out of the corner, and he is not
he has the physical presence of a 6 year old

right now, he is closer to a bust, cam barker, than those 4 special d men I mentioned


you guys need to just stop with excuses
- homiedclown

Coaching problem right here

the special ones are really good at 21

bourque, pronger, leetch, nieds etc


power is being paid to be special and it's a cap era

he should be a force clearing the front of the net, and he is not
he should be a bull carrying the puck out of the corner, and he is not
he has the physical presence of a 6 year old

right now, he is closer to a bust, cam barker, than those 4 special d men I mentioned


you guys need to just stop with excuses
- homiedclown

There really good with the excuses, it's the offseason they will all start over again and blah blah blah.

Coaching problem right here
- Sabretooth9

coaching is not the reason why you float instead of clear the front of the net

coaching is not the reason he shows zero physical presence, he plays d so he has to clear and bang once in a while

coaching is not the reason he loses battles in the corner on loose pucks

his age is also not the reason these things do not happen

There really good with the excuses, it's the offseason they will all start over again and blah blah blah.
- Buff36

it's crazy he makes excuses up for almost everyone but peterka and 6k

2 of our most consistent players this season and best stories

coaching is not the reason why you float instead of clear the front of the net

coaching is not the reason he shows zero physical presence, he plays d so he has to clear and bang once in a while

coaching is not the reason he loses battles in the corner on loose pucks

his age is also not the reason these things do not happen
- homiedclown

I will say this, Power was never expected to be that type of player. Maybe as he grows and gets older. That's why the right partner is crucial for him. Kid doesn't need to be a Bulldozer, a good partner can just Teach how to use that size to his advantage.

coaching is not the reason why you float instead of clear the front of the net

coaching is not the reason he shows zero physical presence, he plays d so he has to clear and bang once in a while

coaching is not the reason he loses battles in the corner on loose pucks

his age is also not the reason these things do not happen
- homiedclown

Like in his rookie year. He needs to move his feet and play with speed.


OP being physical was never apart of his game even as a prospect Not sure why you magically want him to be Chris pronger.

You are making him into something he’s not.

Kind of like how people thought Derek Roy was a 1C when he really wasn’t

coaching is not the reason why you float instead of clear the front of the net

coaching is not the reason he shows zero physical presence, he plays d so he has to clear and bang once in a while

coaching is not the reason he loses battles in the corner on loose pucks

his age is also not the reason these things do not happen
- homiedclown

Then what is? He was a consensus number one. Paid too early as proof has shown but consensus number one, regardless.

So, if not coaching, was everyone wrong about his abilities? What happened to get him your consideration for a third line pairing?

I don't think any are top line material, but you don't really know until they get a couple years in the league. Some would say Savoie has that high potential still but I just don't see it.

Those guys are already on the team with Quinn, Benny, Peterka, Tage and Tuch. Benny may be a stretch and Quinn feels like he's better off playing 2nd line, but the other three all can score 30 goals each...which I'd qualify as at least an average 1st liner.
- QuinnFan

They will have a 1st line and a PP. Guys will put up points. That alone doesn't make them average or above.

Top line was well below average last year and is a huge concern heading in to next season. They didn't have even an average 1st liner last year.

Then what is? He was a consensus number one. Paid too early as proof has shown but consensus number one, regardless.

So, if not coaching, was everyone wrong about his abilities? What happened to get him your consideration for a third line pairing?
- TC4145

He has high end ability. Should be no questioning that.

[quote=Sabretooth9]Like in his rookie year. He needs to move his feet and play with speed.


OP being physical was never apart of his game even as a prospect Not sure why you magically want him to be Chris pronger.

You are making him into something he’s not.



he is 6 foot 6 inches 220 lbs

you act like he is 5 foot 8 in 165 lbs

looks like taran, plays like jane

Then what is? He was a consensus number one. Paid too early as proof has shown but consensus number one, regardless.

So, if not coaching, was everyone wrong about his abilities? What happened to get him your consideration for a third line pairing?
- TC4145

Adam Kimelman - NHL.com - July 12th: "The 18-year-old has the potential to be a top-pair defenseman who can play in all situations, and his skating and hockey instincts should help him acclimate quickly to the pace of the NHL."

Mike Morreale - NHL.com - July 12th: "A big presence with good vision, strength, hockey IQ and who has the look of a first-pair NHL defenseman. In addition to his offensive skill, he led Michigan with 40 blocked shots."

Hockey Prospecting - July 8th: "It may come as a bit of a surprise to see the player likely to go 1st overall ranked this low. Power appears to be a good value prospect but not great or elite one, especially at 1st overall. Power, right now, has a 7% probability of becoming a star."

Josh Bell of FC Hockey - July 8th: "Power is a very intelligent, well-rounded defender that excels in transition whether through a pass or his feet. His understanding of the game and size make him a top prospect, with just some minor improvements needed to be NHL ready."

Brandon Holmes of FC Hockey - July 8th: " Effective at both ends of the rink and often separates attackers from the puck using his long reach combined with strong four-way mobility."

Eetu Siltanen - Dobber Prospects - July 7th: "He has real potential to be a good two-way defender in the NHL. He plays a good offensive game, handles the puck well, and makes good decisions in the offensive zone. His physical attributes are solid, but they still need to improve."

Scott Wheeler - The Atheletic - June 22nd: "And maybe most of all, he really understands how to operate on the ice, consistently reading play effectively, processing at high speeds when pace ratchets up, and picking his spots to attack or simplify."

Ryan Kenneday - The Hockey News - June 11th: "What else do you need in a defenseman? Power is a two-way ace with size, mobility and maturity."

Steve Kournianos - The Draft Analyst - May 24th: "A big, agile two-way defenseman with an incredibly high panic threshold and pro-level smarts, Power is exactly the type of cornerstone player teams look to build around and he’s passing the NHL readiness test with solid play at the ongoing IIHF Men’s World Championship."

Sam Cosentino - Sportsnet - May 12th: "Constantly amazed how agile and light on his feet he is. Has a great frame to work with and there’s plenty of room for growth."

Mike G. Morreale - NHL.com - Apr. 23rd: "Power is a big presence with good vision and strength, and has the look of a top-pair NHL defenseman."

Samuel Tirpak - Dobber Prospects - Mar. 8: "Owen Power is an offensive defenseman who possesses one of the best transitional abilities out of this draft class from defensemen. He is a very smooth puck handler and skater who likes to join the rush and loves to be offensively involved with the forward group in front of him."

Tony Ferrari - Dobber Prospects - Feb. 22nd: "He has the size and skating ability that scouts and coaches LOVE. There is no doubt that the potential for him to be one of, if not the best player in this draft."


http://www.mynhldraft.com...20pass%20or%20his%20feet.

Then what is? He was a consensus number one. Paid too early as proof has shown but consensus number one, regardless.

So, if not coaching, was everyone wrong about his abilities? What happened to get him your consideration for a third line pairing?
- TC4145

I already said that was a typo

top 4 needs to be someone to go with dahlin, power and byram


they need to get the best guy out there, via trade or free agent


they also need to hire the best assistant coach to work on this d core


we should however all agree that at this point, power is not special

He has high end ability. Should be no questioning that.
- Lunaion

and most nights leaving us wanting more then what he gives on the ice

have we drafted any decent player in the last 20 years after the first round?

how many of these first round picks over the last 12 years has been meh? esp the ones not named skunk, eichel or dahlin
- homiedclown

There are two on the roster right now

They will have a 1st line and a PP. Guys will put up points. That alone doesn't make them average or above.

Top line was well below average last year and is a huge concern heading in to next season. They didn't have even an average 1st liner last year.
- Lunaion

Points aren't everything, but, to me, scoring 30g is a good sign you're at minimum, a top6 forward and more likely you're a 1st liner. There were 46 guys who accomplished this in 2023-24, so that bar seems fair. There are playmakers who will be the assist guys who should account for the other 45 or so. Are there non 1st line players who score 30? Absolutely. But, IMO, most of those guys are tweeners and almost all are top6 forwards. It's difficult to luck into that kind of production, that's all I mean.

If you can get 90g out of your top line, that's a decent line that can get the job done. The Bruins just did it with 85g from their top line, as an example. We know Tuch, Peterka and Tuch all have this ability, so I don't see it as some big reach to say we can ice a competitive top line.

and most nights leaving us wanting more then what he gives on the ice
- homiedclown

I can think of 1 must keep player on the roster

just 1
- homiedclown

But Girgenson is a FA, so does that really count as on the roster?

There are two on the roster right now
- Swedish_Jesus

That's the cabal, giving us just enough as to not pay attention...damn their good.

That's the cabal, giving us just enough as to not pay attention...damn their good.
- washedup20

I’m sure the family of Kyle Marisa Roth isn’t joking about the Cabal lately

Points aren't everything, but, to me, scoring 30g is a good sign you're at minimum, a top6 forward and more likely you're a 1st liner. There were 46 guys who accomplished this in 2023-24, so that bar seems fair. There are playmakers who will be the assist guys who should account for the other 45 or so. Are there non 1st line players who score 30? Absolutely. But, IMO, most of those guys are tweeners and almost all are top6 forwards. It's difficult to luck into that kind of production, that's all I mean.

If you can get 90g out of your top line, that's a decent line that can get the job done. The Bruins just did it with 85g from their top line, as an example. We know Tuch, Peterka and Tuch all have this ability, so I don't see it as some big reach to say we can ice a competitive top line.
- QuinnFan

The Sabres had a top line, it just took the Meatstick 70 games to put it together