I'll say it again, they did not draft OP to be a defensive mean defensmen and we all knew that when he was drafted. If you didn't, then you didn't pay attention to his draft scouting report. He was a drafted because he is a skilled puck mover that has unusual size for a player like that. He's only 23 and he's improving and in 1-2 more years, he'll be another Sammy
For the old timers. Dave Andreychuk had a 23 year NHL career that culminated in a Hall of Fame induction. He won a Stanley Cup. He played over 1,600 games and scored more power play goals than anyone else in history. Buffalo fans almost ran him out of Buffalo. Cries of “hit him with your purse, Dave” rang out. He is a big man. People wanted bruisers when they saw his size. His 640 goals are 14th all time. He had more assists than goals. His 1,639 games are 7th. He was traded to Toronto along with a first round draft pick for Grant Fuhr who played 64 games for Buffalo without distinction. Nothing’s wrong with playing hockey with an edge or a mean streak. That said, a unique other talent shouldn’t be squandered because it’s not the primary offering of a big player.
Maybe Power didn't believe that his team would have his back. Does anyone think he wasn't scouting Buffalo when he knew he would be drafted here? We were soft and he wasn't gonna put himself in a position that he wouldn't get any help as a 18/19/20 year old, Montour felt the same way when he was here. He knows guys will jump in if he gets chippy and he is learning the good players on the opposition and how they play the game and attacking their weaknesses. It's easy to defend when you get the puck out as fast as it comes in the zone and Power has been amazing at doing that. He isn't gonna be Chris Pronger, get over it, Dahlin is your Pronger, Samulesson is your Pronger, Power will never be that and you don't need a D corps of Prongers, you need Neidermayers
The only argument to keep him is to not break up what is working. That said, he is not that good. They can get a solid veteran defenseman and a prospect. Send Levi to anyone that will take him.
Owen Power is finally becoming a NHL Hockey Player. Early on, the Sabres ruined Power. He never earned his spot on the Sabres. And, he never earned his big contract. Thus, Power never had skin in the games. The Sabres ruined so many players over the past 14 years. Or, forced players to leave. Then, they could try to win the Stanley Cup!
Every young dman we have coming up people always curse them out because their expectations are so high. They never take into account how much longer it takes them to develop in the league. People do this with every kid we throw into the lineup, then when they end up playing good in their mid-20s they act like they weren't being asinine for the last 5 years. Then move onto the next dman we drafted and do it all again.
The people that think we need to get rid of Power, not only don’t understand the development time for MOST Defensemen, but they just flat out don’t know hockey.
For most defensemen, it takes until their 5th or 6th year to really start putting it all together. Aside from the fact that not every “Big Man” is going to play like a wrecking ball. Which isn’t what he was drafted for anyways.
Remember, Dahlin was getting pushed around until he was around Power’s age. Then one night he got blindsided with several cheap shots and said “I’ve had enough” and now, if you’re just breathing, Dahlin’s gonna hit you!
Power may get to that breaking point, he may not, but he’s a hell if a hockey player in nearly every other aspect and getting better at the stuff he’s lacking.
He'll be fine. In the off-season trade Quinn, Byram, 2 of the goalies, Krebs, Greenway, Timmons to get a legit top 6 F (Knies would be nice) and some depth/picks.
18 Comments
Owen is hitting people now. Hes getting better.
Last night I was like woah who layed that hit. O/p no way
Hes getting better every year. You watch in a few years hes gonna find his inner Samuelson
I agree by next season Power will become a difference maker on the ice.
I'll say it again, they did not draft OP to be a defensive mean defensmen and we all knew that when he was drafted. If you didn't, then you didn't pay attention to his draft scouting report. He was a drafted because he is a skilled puck mover that has unusual size for a player like that. He's only 23 and he's improving and in 1-2 more years, he'll be another Sammy
For the old timers. Dave Andreychuk had a 23 year NHL career that culminated in a Hall of Fame induction. He won a Stanley Cup. He played over 1,600 games and scored more power play goals than anyone else in history. Buffalo fans almost ran him out of Buffalo. Cries of “hit him with your purse, Dave” rang out. He is a big man. People wanted bruisers when they saw his size. His 640 goals are 14th all time. He had more assists than goals. His 1,639 games are 7th. He was traded to Toronto along with a first round draft pick for Grant Fuhr who played 64 games for Buffalo without distinction. Nothing’s wrong with playing hockey with an edge or a mean streak. That said, a unique other talent shouldn’t be squandered because it’s not the primary offering of a big player.
Power is turning a corner. He's just hit his 300th game. In a year or two, his contract will look like a bargain.
Power can go, Quinn too
Maybe Power didn't believe that his team would have his back. Does anyone think he wasn't scouting Buffalo when he knew he would be drafted here? We were soft and he wasn't gonna put himself in a position that he wouldn't get any help as a 18/19/20 year old, Montour felt the same way when he was here. He knows guys will jump in if he gets chippy and he is learning the good players on the opposition and how they play the game and attacking their weaknesses. It's easy to defend when you get the puck out as fast as it comes in the zone and Power has been amazing at doing that. He isn't gonna be Chris Pronger, get over it, Dahlin is your Pronger, Samulesson is your Pronger, Power will never be that and you don't need a D corps of Prongers, you need Neidermayers
We don't need that Thomas guy
The only argument to keep him is to not break up what is working. That said, he is not that good. They can get a solid veteran defenseman and a prospect. Send Levi to anyone that will take him.
Owen Power is finally becoming a NHL Hockey Player. Early on, the Sabres ruined Power. He never earned his spot on the Sabres. And, he never earned his big contract. Thus, Power never had skin in the games. The Sabres ruined so many players over the past 14 years. Or, forced players to leave. Then, they could try to win the Stanley Cup!
Every young dman we have coming up people always curse them out because their expectations are so high. They never take into account how much longer it takes them to develop in the league. People do this with every kid we throw into the lineup, then when they end up playing good in their mid-20s they act like they weren't being asinine for the last 5 years. Then move onto the next dman we drafted and do it all again.
I see it. Power has been playing really well the past couple months, it looks like he’s found his stride
These two clowns know more about sports betting and fantasy teams then they do about real sports. Two big fish in a really small pond.
The people that think we need to get rid of Power, not only don’t understand the development time for MOST Defensemen, but they just flat out don’t know hockey.
For most defensemen, it takes until their 5th or 6th year to really start putting it all together. Aside from the fact that not every “Big Man” is going to play like a wrecking ball. Which isn’t what he was drafted for anyways.
Remember, Dahlin was getting pushed around until he was around Power’s age. Then one night he got blindsided with several cheap shots and said “I’ve had enough” and now, if you’re just breathing, Dahlin’s gonna hit you!
Power may get to that breaking point, he may not, but he’s a hell if a hockey player in nearly every other aspect and getting better at the stuff he’s lacking.
Big hitters died about 20 years ago, the b00mers need to lose that archaic mindset
He'll be fine. In the off-season trade Quinn, Byram, 2 of the goalies, Krebs, Greenway, Timmons to get a legit top 6 F (Knies would be nice) and some depth/picks.