Total Season Stats: 6-27-33 in 76 Games
Age: 21
Contract Status: Signed through 2030-2031
Right before the start of last season, Owen Power signed a massive contract extension. The Sabres locked the 2021 first overall pick for 58.45 million dollars over seven years. The extension is set to kick in next season as does increased expectations for the young blueliner. His sophomore season saw its ups and downs, but he turned in a solid performance.
Power’s steady play and offensive acumen are vital to the Sabres success. He may not possess the offensive flair that Rasmus Dahlin has, but he is very effective at generating offense. He was two points shy of his rookie season total but showed growth in all areas of his game. When given space, he has no issues making the most of the opportunity as seen in his overtime goal in March:
Power is at his best when he’s engaged offensively, particularly on the rush. He has a good sense of when to join the forwards on an odd man break. With his combination of size and speed, he’s hard to defend against in open ice. A great example of this is his goal against Finland in the World Championships:
Much like Dahlin’s early years, Power could benefit from adding more physical play to his game. The 6’6” defender can cover a lot of ground in the defensive zone but can get outmuscled in the corners and in front of the net. Throwing his weight around a little more would give him another tool in his defensive arsenal. The key for Power will be to find the most efficient way to stifle the oppositions’ attack, so he can do what he does best: jumpstart the Sabres’ transition game and generate offensive opportunities.
Power is currently playing for team Canada at the World Championships where he has 4 points in 5 games. With Buffalo missing the playoffs yet again, this is a great opportunity to gain experience in high pressure situations. That can only benefit him as he prepares for his first season with the heightened expectations from his new contract.
Season Grade: B