_Q_

A year early.

McLeod is literally nothing like Cozens.

Championship!

Crazy that he is only 364 days younger than Benson.

As the Premier said, if Canada decoupled from the US economy, they would cease to exist as a country.

Yep, agree with this. Love Benson, hopefully Quinn is still catching up from injuries.

Talk about tone deaf! Sabres Repost

The tank is on.

Sorry for the lack of clarity, the "no blockers" comment in the article sent me off into looking into the youngest team in the league thing. The "no blockers" approach was asinine. So is keeping the team the youngest in the league for the last 5 years.

This is asinine. The Buffalo Sabres have been recognized as the youngest team in the NHL for several consecutive seasons, based on the average age of their roster. While exact historical data for every season isn't fully detailed in the provided references, recent trends and specific mentions allow us to estimate this streak with reasonable confidence. For the 2024-25 season, the Sabres entered with the youngest roster in the NHL, with an average age of 25.32 as of opening day (October 8, 2024), according to OntarioBets.com. In the 2023-24 season, they were again the youngest, with an average age of 25.3, as reported by Elite Prospects and News 4 Buffalo. The 2022-23 season also saw them as the youngest team, with an average age around 26.1 at the start of the prior year (noted as dropping to 25.3 by 2023-24), per Sabres Noise and related commentary. Posts on X and Reddit further suggest that the Sabres have been among the youngest teams for at least the last five years, aligning with their rebuilding strategy under General Manager Kevyn Adams. While definitive average ages for the 2021-22 and 2020-21 seasons aren't explicitly cited here, the consistent narrative of youth—bolstered by the addition of young players like Owen Power (drafted 2021), Jack Quinn, and Zach Benson (2023)—implies they likely held this distinction. The Sabres' focus on developing prospects rather than signing older veterans supports a streak extending back at least to the 2020-21 season, when their roster included emerging stars like Rasmus Dahlin and Dylan Cozens, with minimal veteran presence after shedding players like Kyle Okposo over time. Thus, based on the available data and ongoing trends, the Buffalo Sabres have likely been the youngest team in the NHL for at least five consecutive seasons (2020-21 through 2024-25). This estimate could extend further with access to complete historical roster age data, but five years is a conservative, well-supported answer as of March 14, 2025.

I’ve been beating this drum, but IMO, Quinn’s issues are physical. (After two major leg injuries) I would shut him down for the season and get his ass in a squat rack ASAP

I agree with all that as well. Love a second line with Benson-Norris-Pre Injury Quinn.

I kinda think that is why Benson was paired with him last night. I really like that combo.

Sucker

Agree to disagree about Peterka vs Quinn, but I agree with everything else.

The tank is on

Agreed, but we don’t have many options.

I am not a prophet. But I have been ISO’ng Quinn for quite awhile. Watch him, he looks like he has no legs/wind. Two major leg injuries makes it add up. I want to see him train medically healthy for a full offseason. Remember he was Peterka ++

I want 1. No injuries before offseason.

Not at all. But he is lame. Bullish on Quinn.

Just watch him. He is playing like he has no legs. Not the Quinn of a couple years ago.

99

If Quinn with a full healthy offseason doesn’t make a jump, then it is time to move on. Until then, I’m convinced he isn’t 100%. That Benson to Norris is exactly who both of them are. Great to see.

Of the young players, we have Benson at 19 (who should be in the AHL if not for idiotic WHL rules), Quinn who while medically recovered from two major leg injuries, is certainly not physically recovered and Power. These are the high end prospects that you are lumping in with Cozens and claiming they cannot develop in the ORG. Then ignoring Thompson as an aberration. My opinion is that we are seeing all of these prospects too early or slotting them too high in the lineup when they get here. However, most are still progressing. Power who I have all kinds of frustration with is interesting, and an example of this. Here is a Grok analysis of his age 22 season, how he compares to others and how he projects moving forward. This has made me take a step back on him for sure. Owen Power, the 22-year-old defenseman for the Buffalo Sabres, has quickly established himself as one of the NHL's most promising young blueliners since being selected first overall in the 2021 NHL Draft. As of March 12, 2025, he’s in his third NHL season at age 22 (born November 22, 2002), providing a solid sample to compare him to other notable defenders at a similar age and project his future potential. Let’s break this down by comparing his performance to historical and contemporary peers around age 22, then assessing his trajectory. Comparison to Other Defenders at Age 22 To contextualize Power’s development, I’ll compare him to a mix of elite defensemen—some who peaked early, others who grew into superstars—focusing on their age-22 seasons (stats adjusted to the closest full season at that age). Note that Power’s stats below reflect his career totals through his first 189 NHL games (up to early March 2025, assuming a typical pace for the 2024-25 season based on available data). Owen Power (2024-25, Age 22, projected through 189 games) Stats (career to date): ~18 goals, ~84 assists, ~102 points, +34, ~23:00 TOI/game (based on hockey-reference.com trends and 2024-25 partial data). 2022-23 (age 20, 79 GP): 4 G, 31 A, 35 PTS, +10, 23:48 TOI. Strengths: Exceptional skating for his 6’6” frame, high hockey IQ, two-way reliability, power-play contributions (8 PPP in 2022-23). Context: Played top-pair minutes as a rookie, anchoring Buffalo’s defense during their best season since 2010-11. Victor Hedman (2009-10, Age 22, 74 GP) Stats: 4 G, 16 A, 20 PTS, -3, 20:50 TOI. At 22, Hedman was still adjusting to the NHL with Tampa Bay, showing flashes of his skating and size (6’6”) but not yet the offensive dynamo he’d become. His breakout came later (Norris at 27). Comparison: Power’s production and ice time already outpace Hedman’s at this age, though Hedman’s physicality was more pronounced early. Rasmus Dahlin (2020-21, Age 22, 78 GP) Stats: 13 G, 40 A, 53 PTS, -36, 25:47 TOI. Dahlin, Power’s teammate, was a point-producing machine by 22 but struggled defensively on a weaker Sabres team. His skating and offensive instincts were elite, much like Power’s, though Power’s plus-minus reflects better team context and defensive reliability. Comparison: Power’s offense lags behind Dahlin’s at this age, but his two-way game and efficiency (e.g., +9 in 10 games in 2023-24 per X posts) suggest a more balanced foundation. Aaron Ekblad (2016-17, Age 22, 82 GP) Stats: 10 G, 11 A, 21 PTS, +2, 21:35 TOI. Ekblad, another No. 1 pick, was a steady two-way presence for Florida, winning the Calder at 19. By 22, he was a top-pair stalwart but not yet a point-per-game threat (that came later). Comparison: Power’s assist totals and ice time surpass Ekblad’s, hinting at a higher offensive ceiling, though Ekblad’s physical edge was notable earlier. Drew Doughty (2010-11, Age 22, 76 GP) Stats: 11 G, 29 A, 40 PTS, +13, 25:41 TOI. Doughty was already a Norris contender by 22, blending offense, defense, and elite skating. His Kings were playoff-bound, and he logged massive minutes. Comparison: Power’s stats are close to Doughty’s in assists and TOI, though Doughty’s goal-scoring and playoff pedigree at 22 set a higher bar. Power’s trajectory aligns well here. Cale Makar (2021-22, Age 22, 77 GP) Stats: 28 G, 58 A, 86 PTS, +48, 25:40 TOI. Makar’s age-22 season was a Norris-winning masterpiece, showcasing unparalleled offensive flair and skating. He’s an outlier among young defensemen. Comparison: Power doesn’t match Makar’s explosive offense, but his size and defensive stability offer a different flavor—more Hedman-like than Makar-like. Statistical Context and Trends Power’s career stats through 189 games (projected): 102 points in 189 GP (0.54 PPG), +34, and ~23:00 TOI. Among defensemen since 2000 in their first three seasons (ages 19-22), this pace is impressive: Top-pair production: His 0.54 PPG ranks him among the likes of Quinn Hughes (0.65 PPG) and Erik Karlsson (0.60 PPG) at similar stages, though below Makar (0.90 PPG). Plus-minus: His +34 reflects strong 5v5 play (e.g., 55.9 GF% at age 20 per X posts), outpacing Hedman (-9) and Ekblad (+11) through their first 189 games. Ice time: Averaging over 23 minutes as a rookie and beyond places him in elite company—Doughty, Hedman, and Dahlin all hovered around 24-25 minutes by 22. Potential Projection Owen Power’s blend of size (6’6”, 221 lbs), skating, and hockey sense positions him as a potential franchise defenseman. Here’s a projection based on his current trajectory and comparisons: Ceiling: Top-Pair, Norris-Caliber Anchor Model: Victor Hedman. Power’s size, skating, and two-way game mirror Hedman’s evolution. If he develops a harder shot (a noted weakness early) and boosts his physicality, he could hit 60-70 points annually by his mid-20s, paired with elite defensive metrics. A Norris Trophy isn’t out of reach by age 27-28 (2030-31), especially if Buffalo becomes a contender. Stats by Prime (Age 26-28): 15-20 G, 45-55 A, 60-75 PTS, +20 to +30, 25:00+ TOI. Likely Outcome: Reliable No. 1 Defenseman Model: A blend of Doughty and Ekblad. Even without Hedman’s peak offense, Power’s consistency, ice time, and efficiency suggest a perennial 40-50-point, +20 defenseman who logs 24-25 minutes across all situations. He’d be the Sabres’ defensive backbone, akin to Doughty’s early Kings tenure. Stats by Prime: 10-15 G, 35-45 A, 45-60 PTS, +15 to +25, 24:00-25:00 TOI. Floor: High-End Top-Pair Defender Model: Early-career Ekblad. If Power’s offense plateaus (e.g., due to team context or injury), he still projects as a 30-40-point, defensively sound blueliner who eats minutes—valuable but not transcendent. Stats by Prime: 8-12 G, 25-35 A, 35-45 PTS, +10 to +20, 23:00-24:00 TOI. Key Factors in His Development Offensive Growth: Power’s assist-heavy game (31 A in 2022-23) hints at playmaking potential, but his goal totals (6 in 82 GP at 20) lag behind peers like Dahlin or Makar. Improving his shot power and confidence could unlock 15+ goals annually. Physical Maturity: At 22, he’s still filling out his frame. Added strength could elevate his board battles and net-front presence, aligning him closer to Hedman’s physical peak. Team Success: Buffalo’s rise (or stagnation) will shape his stats and recognition. A playoff run by 2026-27 could cement his reputation. Conclusion At 22, Owen Power already outpaces many elite defensemen’s production and responsibility at the same age (Hedman, Ekblad), trails offensive dynamos (Makar, Dahlin), and aligns closely with all-around stars (Doughty). His skating, size, and IQ give him a rare toolkit—few 6’6” defenders move like him. Barring injury or a drastic drop-off, he’s on track to become a top-5 NHL defenseman by his late 20s, likely hitting a Hedman-esque peak if he maximizes his offensive upside. For now, he’s a cornerstone with room to grow into a superstar.

So did it happen in a road game??