Buffalo Sabres: Owen Power completes young defensive pairings

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Owen Power will make his debut tonight against the Toronto Maple Leafs in a highly-anticipated matchup. 

While Owen Power is the latest young member of the Buffalo Sabres to test the NHL waters, his debut also coincides with the “future is now” trope. Power completes three defensive pairings where each member projected to be in action against the Toronto Maple Leafs, per The Morning Puck is 25 or younger.

Power’s addition to the lineup means Mark Pysyk, Colin Miller, and Will Butcher are all projected scratches for the dance against Toronto. And that head coach Don Granato is as anxious as the rest of us to see how well these six young Buffalo Sabres defensemen can hold their own.

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Owen Power completes the team’s defensive pairings

Power will pair with Henri Jokiharju, the latter of whom is often seen on the first pairing with All-Star Rasmus Dahlin. For the Toronto tilt, Mattias Samuelsson will get the nod on to pair with Dahlin.

Samuelsson has quickly built a reputation as a bit hitter, having recorded nine hits in his previous two contests. In 35 games this season, Samuelsson has 78 hits and 51 blocks in 19:28 of average ice time.

Meanwhile, Dahlin evolved into one of the Sabres best two-way players. Having tied his career-high of 44 points in 72 games, Dahlin’s offensive prowess has not missed a beat this season. He has also set career-highs in hits with 108 to go with 84 blocks.

Casey Fitzgerald is projected to start on the third line alongside Jacob Bryson. Like Samuelsson, Fitzgerald is garnering a reputation as a big hitter, having logged 70 in just 25 games. Also like Samuelsson, Fitzgerald was not part of the Sabres initial roster, having spent an ample amount of time in Rochester earlier in the season.

Bryson is the weak link of the five young defensemen who have seen extended playing time at the NHL level. In 65 games, he has just 51 hits but a respectable 69 blocks. However, in 103 NHL appearances, Bryson has just 18 points, 83 hits, and 112 blocks.

Expect some growing pains, even from the established Dahlin and Jokiharju, as the Sabres see not just Owen Power’s debut, but The Morning Puck’s projected debut of all six defensemen aged 25 or under.

However, all good teams start somewhere, and it’s hopefully one of just many games where we will see these three young pairings. And if these six defensemen show development, the Sabres might just be in business for the next half-decade.

(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)