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Buffalo Sabres rookie Owen Power displays winning mentality

By Sion Fawkes

TORONTO, ON - APRIL 12: Owen Power #25 of the Buffalo Sabres plays in his first career NHL game battles against Pierre Engvall #47 of the Toronto Maple Leafs 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 plays in his first career NHL game battles against Pierre Engvall #47 of the Toronto Maple Leafs 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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In an entertaining article on Buffalo Sabres rookie Owen Power, there was one conclusion to take away: He already has a winning mentality. 

When you have a player who focuses on what they can control while subsequently ignoring any and all irrelevant voices around them, you have a winner. That said, I don’t expect Buffalo Sabres rookie Owen Power to take the way myself or anyone else may or may not analyze him seriously, which is great.

We are all saying that Power will contend for the Calder Trophy, but he made it clear in Lance Lysowski’s article (link below) that he isn’t paying attention to the bar myself and most in the hockey world have raised for him. Not that Power doesn’t expect a lot from himself – he does. But it’s the bar he and the coaches set that matters.

Heading into his first full season, Buffalo Sabres rookie Owen Power is already handling things the right way.

Unlike presumed rookies Juraj Slafkovsky (Montreal Canadiens) and Logan Cooley (Arizona Coyotes), Power is one of a few in their first full season that has seen NHL ice. And not only has he seen the ice, he played like he belonged, compiling eight games, three points, two goals, an assist, nine blocks, and six takeaways.

Power averaged at least 20 minutes of ice time, so it wasn’t like head coach Don Granato just eased him into the lineup mere days after he signed his entry-level contract. Best yet, he just went out there and played as though he were still at the University of Michigan: Cool and calm. 

Given Power’s performance, it’s not surprising to see such high expectations for him heading into the 2022-23 season. What is surprising is the way he is handling those expectations, as it is so easy to get caught up in the hype at just 19 years old.

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It is even easier following a successful debut and dominating at development camp. But so far, Power’s paying attention to his own bar and the coaches’ bar speaks maturity. And that winning mentality can take him a long way in 2022-23.

Article Source: It’s a quiet summer for Sabres defenseman Owen Power ahead of his first NHL training camp by Mike Harrington

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