The preseason for the Buffalo Sabres is only a few weeks away and there will be decisions for Kevyn Adams and company to make. One key right now will be how best to find players to generate points outside of forwards, Tage Thompson, and Alex Tuch.
One player that the Sabres need to utilize, coming off a great campaign, is defenseman Owen Power. The 22-year-old had a 40-point season a year ago. He may be one of the keys to the Sabres advancing into the postseason.
He was tied with Ryan McLeod for second on the team in assists with 33 and behind only captain Rasmus Dahlin. If Power can improve his opportunities to generate more points, the Sabres could find the back of the net more often. It will be important if Power and Dahlin can be the support for both Tuch and Thompson.
Between Dahlin and McLeod, they had 37 goals between the two of them. Power only had seven goals a year ago. Improving his goal scoring will be a huge step for a player who could emerge as a leader for the team.
Buffalo Sabres can't afford to see Owen Power take a step backward this season
One knock on the Sabres is that they continue to try to stay young and do not bring as many savvy veterans. There has been success in the league due to that; however, they need the young players on their roster to step up.
There have also been instances where players for the team have had great breakout seasons and then taken a step back the following season. Power and the Sabres cannot afford to have that happen.
On the defensive end, he was fourth on the team in blocks with 109. It marked the second straight season in which the young player had over 100 on the year. He was behind Connor Clifton in blocks. Clifton is gone and that means that Power will have to step up on the defensive end.
Too many times a year ago, the Sabres would get a hole quick. They would lose momentum and go down either 1-0 or 2-0 rather quickly and have to play catch up. If they can move around and find more cohesion on the defensive end than look for them to make more of a realistic run towards the postseason.
All this depends on the depth behind their leaders. Owen Power may be one of those types of players who can provide that needed depth. Too many times, recently have the Sabres used players who played well for a season as a trade capitol after them and team falters. Now lets see what happens if both improve.