The Top 25 Under 25 is a collaboration by members of the Die By The Blade community. 117 readers ranked Buffalo Sabres players under the age of 25 as of August 1, 2025. Each participant used their own metric of current ability and production to rank each player.
Owen Power
Drafted: 2021 – 1st Round (1st Overall)
Position: Defense
Born: November 22nd, 2002 – 22 Years Old
2024-2025 Stats: 79 GP | 7G, 33A | -13
2024-2025 T25U25 Ranking: 5
We have finally reached the top of the list and it is none other than defenseman Owen Power. The Mississauga native can often be polarizing for fans due to some inconsistencies and general defensive struggles, but it is worth noting that he only turns 23 in a couple of months.
Power has accomplished quite a bit in his short professional career – from his beginnings with the Ontario Hockey League and then at college for two years with the University of Michigan. And, in 2022, Power represented Canada in the International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship and tallied five points in two games before the tournament ended prematurely due to COVID-19.
Then, the overall first draft pick extended his time in Buffalo back in 2023, following an impressive rookie season as a Calder Memorial Trophy finalist. That same year, he led the league among rookie defensemen in both assists and points – 31 and 35, respectively – and earned one of the best plus-minus ratings in the entire league. It was then that Power signed his seven-year contract for $58.45 million and has since played nearly-full seasons (only a few games shy of the 82) each year. His career average ice time is solid at 22:39.
Standing tall at 6’6″, Power has an excellent shot and is dangerous in the offensive zone, especially for a defenseman as he rivals even elite teammate Rasmus Dahlin in this way.
However, at the end of the day, Power is a defenseman. With his size, he should be developing ways to throw his body around more (without injury, of course) and make more of an impact defensively, perhaps by drawing more turnovers by the other team or putting on more pressure in the Sabres’ zone by clearing the puck more as well as keeping opposing players away from his own goal.
What is frustrating with Power is his potential. With the right partner – consistently – he could do great things to help our defense. This past season was also his first under the direction of Lindy Ruff, a former defenseman himself and a tough one at that.
Perhaps with more time under Ruff and the new defensive system that is being installed this off-season, Power can have a breakout 2025-2026 season. Let’s see, shall we?
2025 Buffalo Sabres Top 25 Under 25
#25: Scott Ratzlaff
#24: Topias Leinonen
#23: Zac Jones
#22: Viktor Neuchev
#21: Prokhor Poltapov
#20: Adam Kleber
#19: Brodie Ziemer
#18: Maxim Strbak
#17: Vsevolod Komarov
#16: Nikita Novikov
#15: Anton Wahlberg
#14: Tyson Kozak
#13: Radim Mrtka
#12: Isak Rosen
#11: Ryan Johnson
#10: Peyton Krebs
#9: Noah Ostlund
#8: Josh Doan
#7: Konsta Helenius
#6: Jack Quinn
#5: Devon Levi
#4: Jiri Kulich
#3: Bowen Byram
#2: Zach Benson
#1: Owen Power