Wayne Gretzky Eviscerated Power on National TV

[Big Guava]

Gretzky called out Power in the intermission after he failed to clear the puck on Zibanijad's PPG in the 1st...

"I just want to say, guy wins the faceoff, Power has to get the puck out. That's why you're losing. There's no excuse for that puck not getting out. On your strong side. 220 pounds. 6-foot-6. That puck has to get down the ice."

 

 

[bunomatic]

He’s not wrong. This stuff is happening all over the roster. Power just happened to get called on it. 

[Pimlach]

He is a defenseman who is not that good at defense right now.  

[...]

But he has great offensive stats don't you know. He scored last game, even.

[PerreaultForever]

Correct on all fronts. He does have offensive stats but he is horrible defensively. Literally does not seem all that interested in defending at all. Very passive around his own net and very often a spectator. 

[Captain Caveman]

Power is starting to remind me of Ristolainen

Tons of minutes (especially since Dahlin's been out) and way more negative plays than positives.  He's clearly talented, but seems to not know how to play defense.

[bob_sauve28]

Oh whatever.

 

Was the puck tipped before he shot it? I heard one of the announcers say that afterward but did not look back at it.

 

 

[Carmel Corn]

1 hour ago, Captain Caveman said:

Power is starting to remind me of Ristolainen

Tons of minutes (especially since Dahlin's been out) and way more negative plays than positives.  He's clearly talented, but seems to not know how to play defense.

IMHO - Ristolainen played a much more feisty game than Power ever will.  Yes, both are weaker defensively and might show a little offensive burst here and there, but Risto did not play like a weakling.  Not a fighter, but still made opponents know he was there after the whistle.

[JohnC]

9 hours ago, Big Guava said:

Gretzky called out Power in the intermission after he failed to clear the puck on Zibanijad's PPG in the 1st...

"I just want to say, guy wins the faceoff, Power has to get the puck out. That's why you're losing. There's no excuse for that puck not getting out. On your strong side. 220 pounds. 6-foot-6. That puck has to get down the ice."

 

 

Ruff then basically benched him in that period. After that public spanking Power played well. That's good coaching. 

[Kristian]

2 hours ago, Captain Caveman said:

Power is starting to remind me of Ristolainen

Tons of minutes (especially since Dahlin's been out) and way more negative plays than positives.  He's clearly talented, but seems to not know how to play defense.

At least Risto would hit people, Power is the biggest ***** I ever saw.

[JP51]

3 hours ago, Captain Caveman said:

Power is starting to remind me of Ristolainen

Tons of minutes (especially since Dahlin's been out) and way more negative plays than positives.  He's clearly talented, but seems to not know how to play defense.

Yes but I occasionally witnessed Risto initiate physical contact... I am not sure I have ever seen power not curl up in the fetal position at the prospect of getting hit and doing a little canadian turn when its his turn to engage... He is Mike Wilson who is worse defensively. 

[Wyldnwoody44]

Hey now. This is why we tanked and remained bad. 

It's for the #1 overall draft talent, you'll see, we'll have a team with all of these top picks and then we'll be unstoppable, just you wait. 

[ska-T Palmtown]

2 minutes ago, JP51 said:

Yes but I occasionally witnessed Risto initiate physical contact... I am not sure I have ever seen power not curl up in the fetal position at the prospect of getting hit and doing a little canadian turn when its his turn to engage... He is Mike Wilson who is worse defensively. 

Occasionally? Risto's most famous move was chasing a hit so badly that he took himself of the play. We don't need that. But Power needs to learn how to use his size. This is year 3, the "I couldn't hit in peewee cuz i was too big and they called me for penalties" crap needs to end.

[R_Dudley]

9 hours ago, PerreaultForever said:

Correct on all fronts. He does have offensive stats but he is horrible defensively. Literally does not seem all that interested in defending at all. Very passive around his own net and very often a spectator. 

I cannot ever recall seeing him, a 6"6" 220 lbs defensemen clear the crease. I see Sabre forwards always being knocked down in front of the opposing net/goalies, no penalty.

That net front is one area the officials usually allow some leeway to clear the view and they do not provide any consistent support for their goalies there.

Sad dysfunctional drafting from what was supposed to be one area of strength based on our drafts of defensemen.

Defensemen that don't play defense and a host of forwards that can't play physical offense.  Great recipe for amateur hockey but not professional. 

[JP51]

32 minutes ago, ska-T Palmtown said:

Occasionally? Risto's most famous move was chasing a hit so badly that he took himself of the play. We don't need that. But Power needs to learn how to use his size. This is year 3, the "I couldn't hit in peewee cuz i was too big and they called me for penalties" crap needs to end.

Work with me I was trying to remain composed even keeled and understated LOL ... 

[davidkski]

How many tap-in  goals have the Sabres given up this year when Power was standing idly by the opponent he should've been defending?!?!?!

Even Ryan Johnson, who has far less size and skill than power, at least makes a sustained effort to tie up far bigger opponents near the crease.

Power honestly seems like a spectator between the dots in the Sabres' zone.

My table hockey defensemen have better net-front presence.

I hope Lindy's benching can help him correct his defensive zone lapses, because he's got mad skills offensively. 

 

But he plays such a light, ungreasy, game that you have to wonder if he has enough  aggressiveness in him to become an effective defender.

[PerreaultForever]

5 hours ago, R_Dudley said:

I cannot ever recall seeing him, a 6"6" 220 lbs defensemen clear the crease. I see Sabre forwards always being knocked down in front of the opposing net/goalies, no penalty.

That net front is one area the officials usually allow some leeway to clear the view and they do not provide any consistent support for their goalies there.

Sad dysfunctional drafting from what was supposed to be one area of strength based on our drafts of defensemen.

Defensemen that don't play defense and a host of forwards that can't play physical offense.  Great recipe for amateur hockey but not professional. 

Correct. I've seen him put his stick in front of a player and glide in towards the net with him, but he doesn't use his body to move the guy out or use his stick to stop the other guy's stick either if that guy keeps driving. He's very passive.

[inkman]

16 hours ago, Big Guava said:

Gretzky called out Power in the intermission after he failed to clear the puck on Zibanijad's PPG in the 1st...

"I just want to say, guy wins the faceoff, Power has to get the puck out. That's why you're losing. There's no excuse for that puck not getting out. On your strong side. 220 pounds. 6-foot-6. That puck has to get down the ice."

 

 

 

On 12/11/2024 at 7:48 PM, inkman said:

Gretzky telling the Sabres they need to hit someone.  Embarrassing on a generational level.  I hate this team so much. 

👍

[JohnC]

6 hours ago, Kristian said:

At least Risto would hit people, Power is the biggest ***** I ever saw.

There is not one sober or non-brain-dead GM in the league who would trade Power for Risto. 

[bob_sauve28]

He's good, knows he made a mistake. It's life, he will be fine 

 

 

 

[DarthEbriate]

Let’s say Adams’ plan works. Two years from now, the Sabres make the playoffs on the strength of an offensive dynamo puck mover d-corps (like Nashville under Housley). And they don’t look back for 5 or 6 seasons (Power’s entire contract) after that.

If he can’t learn how to defend his net and crease and goalie in the regular season now, how many playoff series/seasons are they willing to burn while a #1 pick who is going to play 27+ min/game learns that in the playoffs? Are they willing to let a goalie get concussed in the playoffs because of it?

[ska-T Palmtown]

6 minutes ago, DarthEbriate said:

Let’s say Adams’ plan works. Two years from now, the Sabres make the playoffs on the strength of an offensive dynamo puck mover d-corps (like Nashville under Housley). And they don’t look back for 5 or 6 seasons (Power’s entire contract) after that.

If he can’t learn how to defend his net and crease and goalie in the regular season now, how many playoff series/seasons are they willing to burn while a #1 pick who is going to play 27+ min/game learns that in the playoffs? Are they willing to let a goalie get concussed in the playoffs because of it?

I am genuinely shocked they can't get one single ex-player to come in for a weekend and show him how it's done. JFC - pay Pronger $1M for one month to come in and beat the piss outta Power until he snaps and eats Pronger's spleen on the ice ... something. ANYTHING.

[DarthEbriate]

5 minutes ago, ska-T Palmtown said:

I am genuinely shocked they can't get one single ex-player to come in for a weekend and show him how it's done. JFC - pay Pronger $1M for one month to come in and beat the piss outta Power until he snaps and eats Pronger's spleen on the ice ... something. ANYTHING.

You could have Benson crash the crease in practice and make Power’s life a living hell. But Power would probably end up getting hurt if Benson went all-out pest on him. Worst-case: Benson would get injured overexerting himself. 

[ska-T Palmtown]

9 minutes ago, DarthEbriate said:

You could have Benson crash the crease in practice and make Power’s life a living hell. But Power would probably end up getting hurt if Benson went all-out pest on him. Worst-case: Benson would get injured overexerting himself. 

I mean, we have established that no one wants Risto 2.0, so I am fine with Power "working up to it" ... but like - has anyone seen any steps?

[SABRES 0311]

How is it anyone defends this guy? In one breath they’re sick of the lack of physicality but when it’s Power, he’ll be fine.