This is some major news with less than two weeks until the first round of the 2021 NHL Draft. The projected number one overall pick would be thrilled to be taken with the first overall pick (and yes, this is sarcasm if you couldn’t already tell). Owen Power recently told TSN in an interview that it would be an “honor” to play for the Buffalo Sabres.
“I know they’ve got a rich history. It would be an honor to play for them and to get drafted by them,” Power said about the Sabres.
Being from Mississauga, Ontario, which is less than 100 miles from Buffalo, Power would be close to home if the Sabres drafted him. Being this close to his hometown could be adding to the appeal of playing there for him.
Power has said that he may go back to Michigan for one more year after the draft. If he chooses to go this route, he could sign an entry-level contract and enter the NHL once his college season completes. It is not very common for the number one overall pick to not play in the NHL during the following year. The last time it happened was in 2006 when the St. Louis Blues drafted Erik Johnson.
“I think both options are good options and I don’t think you can really go wrong,” Power said regarding going back to college or straight to the NHL. “I’m confident in myself that if I was to sign this season I’d be able to jump in the and play a full season. Whether or not that’s the best decision, I still don’t know.”
Regardless of whether or not Power immediately goes to the NHL or stays another year in college, he seems pretty excited at the potential of being the number one overall pick. Obviously, you would hope that he would like that scenario. It would be a pretty big problem if he wasn’t excited about it.