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Buffalo Sabres: Best and worst-case scenarios for each rookie in 2022

By Sion Fawkes

TORONTO, ON - APRIL 12: Owen Power #25 of the Buffalo Sabres levels Ilya Mikheyev #65 of the Toronto Maple Leafs while skating in his first career NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on April 12, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Sabres defeated the Maple Leafs 5-2. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - APRIL 12: Owen Power #25 of the Buffalo Sabres levels Ilya Mikheyev #65 of the Toronto Maple Leafs while skating in his first career NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on April 12, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Sabres defeated the Maple Leafs 5-2. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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The 2022-23 Buffalo Sabres season is on the horizon and they may have three rookies suiting up for them this fall. Here are scenarios for each.

The Buffalo Sabres still have one of the youngest teams in the NHL. Evidenced at the fact they may have three rookies on the roster on the night of October 13th, when the season opens against the Ottawa Senators.

The team and fan base have high hopes for each rookie listed below. They can also realistically call themselves Calder Trophy contenders, and you can expect them to gain more prominent roles with the team as the year wears on.

However, since we are dealing with rookies, there may be some hard times as well. So how will each fare in 2022-23? Here are the best and worst-case scenarios for Owen Power, Jack Quinn, and J.J. Peterka.

Buffalo Sabres
Apr 14, 2022; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres defenseman Owen Power (25) defends as St. Louis Blues center Ivan Barbashev (49) looks to deflect a shot on Buffalo Sabres goaltender Craig Anderson (41) during the third period at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /

The best and worst-case scenarios for each Buffalo Sabres rookie in 2022-23: Rookie #1 – Owen Power

Power’s best-case scenario will occur if he immediately builds off of last season’s success. This means bettering his 0.375 points per game totals, and defensively, continuing to win the takeaway battle and keep himself in prime position to make plays for the puck.

For Power, a best-case season entails him playing in at least 70 games, with between 28 and 35 points (0.400 to a half-point per game), seven to 10 goals, and 21 to 25 assists as he continues to show off his two-way prowess. He further logs at least one block per game, and totals 50 or more takeaways.

In a worst-case scenario, Power finds himself struggling as opponents figure out how to get around him when they are in control of the puck. This won’t be easy as Power’s elite skating allows him to put himself in situations to make a play on the puck even if he is initially out of position. But quick passing could negate this.

Offensively, Power struggles as opponents likewise catch onto his offensive tendencies quickly, preventing him from making those quick-burst plays last season. An example of which was his first NHL goal.

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