The Buffalo Sabres will get a cameo from defenseman Owen Power to end their 2021-22 season and his presence completes a young defensive unit
Regardless of how the Buffalo Sabres finish, Owen Power’s NHL debut gives fans plenty of reason to watch a hockey team that has been eliminated from playoff contention for an eleventh straight season.
And it’s not just Power’s debut that Sabres fans need to be excited for. Per The Morning Puck, all three Sabres defensive pairings in tonight’s matchup will comprise players aged 25 and under. Henri Jokiharju is slated to join Power on the second pairing while Mattias Samuelsson will pair with Rasmus Dahlin.
Casey Fitzgerald will team with Jacob Bryson to complete the ultra-young lineup. So for the Sabres, the future is now. And while it’s likely that if the Sabres continue to play their youngest defensemen that they won’t see the same success they had in March, it still gives the team a great measuring stick to work with so they can see where each player stands.
And with Power completing a young defensive unit, how will he fare in his NHL debut? The predictions may run a little wild. But that’s okay, because Power, despite having no NHL experience, has the advantage that opponents have no NHL film on him.
So you can expect to see some overachievements until opponents better figure out what he brings to the Sabres. Yes, the rookie will make his fair share of highlight-reel plays as often as he will simultaneously look like a rookie. Expect mistakes, but expect a few unforgettable performances.
What will Owen Power bring to the table in his first taste of NHL action? Here are three bold predictions to expect in tonight’s matchup versus the Toronto Maple Leafs.