If you're feeling rambunctious and want to spark a Twitter debate, simply mention the name Owen Power.
You don't even have to pick a side. Just type out those nine letters in that order and people will come out of the woodwork to tell you why he's either a major piece of the Buffalo Sabres' future or one of the worst first overall selections in NHL Draft history.
Nobody, including the 23-year-old Canadian defenseman himself, would argue he's lived up his full potential since joining the Sabres organization five years ago, but you'd he hard-pressed to find a player who elicits stronger opinions than Power.
Shayna Goldman of The Athletic added to the contentious conversation Thursday, saying there's "a lot of room for improvement on both sides of the puck."
"Power's surroundings obviously contribute to his current situation, considering some of the ups and downs in Buffalo over the years and who he has been partnered with at times," Goldman wrote. "But there are also individual adjustments that would go a long way."
She noted the blueliner has shown some signs of improvement this season and concluded: "The raw skills and potential are still there; it's just a matter of finally taking the leap — even if it comes later than anticipated."
Power has recorded just 15 points (three goals and 12 assists) in 48 appearances this season as the Sabres make a serious bid to end the franchise's 14-year playoff drought.
Owen Power's skill set doesn't match his size, and a lot of fans hate it
Power possesses an imposing 6-foot-6, 226-pound frame but anyone expecting him to play like former NHL All-Star defenseman Chris Pronger has been left frustrated.
The University of Michigan product brings essentially zero physical element to the ice, as evidenced by racking up just 123 hits in 290 career games, and instead leans heavily on his transition and puck-moving abilities to make an impact.
His inability (or unwillingness) to use his size to create leverage in the defensive zone has been a consistent problem throughout his time in Buffalo. Far too often, he loses puck battles along the wall or fails to clear out the front of the net to help his goaltenders.
Power also hasn't maximized the potential of using his long defensive stick to create problems for opposing puck-handlers or shooters, though that's one area he's shown some growth this season.
Yet, his reputation is always going to suffer from the fact his body type doesn't match his play style. It's impossible to explain why someone who towers over most opponents is frequently out-battled by those smaller counterparts in the most dangerous areas of his defensive zone.
So a lot of fans, especially those with an old-school mindset, are never going to take kindly to Power's approach, even if his offensive game continues to evolve.
The Sabres defenseman's underlying numbers paint a different story
Buffalo has received terrific play from its blue line during a recent hot streak that's saw the team win 16 of its past 20 games to surge back into the playoff race.
Rasmus Dahlin and Bowen Byram have both done a great job driving play offensively, Mattias Samuelsson has bounced back in a massive way and the Sabres still have high hopes for Michael Kesselring despite an injury-plagued first year in Western New York.
Yet, which Blue and Gold defenseman sports the best expected goals for percentage (xGF%) at 53.2%? Power. He also ranks second among the club's full-time players behind only winger Josh Doan (57.1%), according to Natural Stat Trick.
That's why evaluating the sport based solely on the eye test is tricky. Power certainly makes a glaring defensive mistake on occasion, but the numbers suggest his shift-to-shift, game-to-game impact is overwhelmingly positive for the Sabres.
It's also why trading the 2023 NHL All-Rookie Team selection would come with incredible risk for new Buffalo general manager Jarmo Kekalainen. It's absolutely possible Power eventually breaks through to become the game-changing defenseman that was expected back in 2021.
Ultimately, even if Power never plays the most visually appealing brand of hockey, his ability to do the little things right consistently gives him a lot of value.