Owen Power leads the NHL in even strength points for defenseman

[Big Guava]

Power had two assists which now gives him 15 even strength points, best in the NHL passing Cale Makar who he was tied with heading into the game.

For those who constantly want to use Power as a whipping boy I think it's time you probably stop seeing what you want to see and start seeing what's actually there.

He might not be the greatest in his own zone but he is very valuable in transition offense and starting plays from deep in his own zone with stretch passes...has been since his rookie year. The defense will come with time, that's how it usually works for young players.

Definitely starting to come along more and more as the season moves forward.

Edited 12 hours ago by Big Guava

[ska-T Chitown]

1 minute ago, Big Guava said:

Power had two assists which now gives him 15 even strength points, best in the NHL passing Cale Makar who he was tied with heading into the game.

For those who constantly want to use Power as a whipping boy I think it's time you probably stop seeing what you want to see and start seeing what's actually there.

He might not be the greatest in his own zone but he is very valuable in transition offense and starting plays from deep in his own zone with stretch passes...has been since his rookie year.

Definitely starting to come along more and more as the season moves forward.

Most people dump on Power b/c he does not hit people enough. I think his biggest "flaw" is that he does not maintain possession often enough on 50/50 pucks, but I think he is learning and getting better. I think a lot of turnovers that are attributed to him are actually teammates on the wall fumbling his passes and turning it over. 

BTW (not at you, just at the larger "you" of the board) - getting the puck out of your zone effective, whether via his super snappy stretch passes or carrying it out, IS effective play in his own zone.

[LabattBlue]

5 minutes ago, ska-T Chitown said:

Most people dump on Power b/c he does not hit people enough. 

You are wrong.  It is his unwillingness to lean on a player to stop progress along the boards, or just tie a man up in front of the net that is maddening for a player of his size regardless of age. 
 

 

[ska-T Chitown]

Just now, LabattBlue said:

You are wrong.  It is his unwillingness to lean on a player to stop progress along the boards, or just tie a man up in front of the net that is maddening for a player of his size regardless of age. 
 

 

You are right ... I was over-simplifying. I disagree with some of the criticism, though. Most of the time he uses his reach to pinch an opposing player off and direct them to less dangerous areas of the ice without taking himself out of position. Sorta like the anti-Risto.

I have also seen him using his big frame to shield the puck more often this year in the corners and behind his own net. It is a work in progress, but it is there.

Net front? Oy .. they boy has some work to do there, but if we are being honest - who are the good examples on the Sabres for him to follow? 

[Sabres Fan in NS]

NORRIS CUSP !!

(paging @Stoner)

[Jorcus]

One thing I have noticed about his game is he is not going as deep in the O zone as much as he used to. Often he would go behind the opposing goal and get pinned or knocked down taking him way out of position and often setting up odd man rushes. He did get knocked down on the half wall last night and it was one of the few times I noticed that kind of issue this year. 

The other thing about net front. It's not like the old days where you can whack and crack players anymore. Power got called for a net front cross check a few games ago that seemed pretty light compared to what used to go on. It's more about holding position and having the strength to lean an attacker out of the net front. If that does not work you better have a good stick to redirect passes and shots which seems to be the Sabre way right now.

[Mango]

2 hours ago, ska-T Chitown said:

Most people dump on Power b/c he does not hit people enough. I think his biggest "flaw" is that he does not maintain possession often enough on 50/50 pucks, but I think he is learning and getting better. I think a lot of turnovers that are attributed to him are actually teammates on the wall fumbling his passes and turning it over. 

BTW (not at you, just at the larger "you" of the board) - getting the puck out of your zone effective, whether via his super snappy stretch passes or carrying it out, IS effective play in his own zone.

Powers biggest flaw is that he isn’t on a balanced roster/defensive unit. 

[ska-T Chitown]

2 hours ago, Mango said:

Powers biggest flaw is that he isn’t on a balanced roster/defensive unit. 

At this risk of a little hyperbole - pair him with a good solid stay-at-home type and he will be a nightmare for other teams.

[Taro T]

Just now, ska-T Chitown said:

At this risk of a little hyperbole - pair him with a good solid stay-at-home type and he will be a nightmare for other teams.

Unfortunately, at least until Johnson or one of the Russians are ready for the big time OR Adams makes a move, their best option for a partner for him is Jokiharju who really isn't a top 4 guy NOR a stay-at-home D-man.  (If he were even 1 or the other, it would lighten Power's burden and cover some of his flaws.)

[JohnC]

What's evident in Power's play is his increasing confidence in expanding his offensive game. He's not afraid to jump into the attack and go to the net when the opportunities arise. An example of that is when he went to the net in OT to take a pass from Tuch and get a shot off that ended up rebounding to Kulich who buried it. 

[msw2112]

Like most Sabres fans, I'm frustrated with Power's lack of physical play on the defensive side, but he's a young guy with tons of talent.  He does some things extremely well now (as this post sheds light on) and he'll improve in other areas.  He still has the upside to be a star player in the future.