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The problem is, when will that be? And what is he doing now to play better and elevate this team? 3 or 4 years to go before we see him figure it out? That hurts. I put some of it on coaching, but most of it on Power. What do you think would happen if Torts was suddenly named head coach? Could Power survive that?

Swayman was very good but shots were mostly from far out, sight lines were open, net front was largely controlled, most plays were one and done. Team D is very good on the Bruins. If they find more scoring they could surprise. As is I doubt they are a playoff team either. The biggest contrast for me with the Sabres would be to watch a guy like Zadorov in front of their net and compare it with Power. Power will skate towards a player and maybe put his stick out to try to get the puck. Zadorov has his body right on the guy, he's muscling him out or tying him up and if he can't he will lift the guys stick off the ice to neutralize him. Watching him battle a strong guy like Anders Lee was a beautiful lesson on defense.

Seattle played Dallas dead even last night. Just lost on a late goal. They're good though. Basically the same as they were. Only one gets out of the division.

You're right, he's always been a finesse player.. in the USHL and at Michigan. He has the size, but he doesn't have man strength yet... for most that comes in your mid-late 20s. I believe he'll be a dominant physical player when he reaches his prime, combined with his offensive instincts the sky is the limit for him.

He IS figuring it out. But whether he fully gets it remains to be seen. And whether he does or doesn't will make his contract either be a slight overpay or a huge bargain. And don't expect he'll ever ragdoll people. That was beaten out of him at a very young age.

I do wonder if both are trying to stay healthy to be available. Leaders don't always have to be "high skill" but otherwise I agree.

Not completely, you can't. But, they could get him to be effective in his own end. He will, at times, use his body to keep players from getting past him along the boards. This is something he pretty much didn't do at all in prior years. He isn't looking as lost in front of the net as he has in the past. How much better he can get at these is the critical question? When he came into the league, he would only shoot if he got the puck in the slot; now he will actually shoot from the point when there is a screen. He still looks to pass 1st, but he doesn't automatically pass. Expect that is a function of him finally feeling "storng." Expect the improvements in the D-zone are also because he's more comfortable that he won't bounce off the opponent should he decide to engage. At his age, he'll still get stronger. In theory, he'll be more comfortable using his body for positioning. He's never going to be a hitter. But, if he gets in people's way AND he continues to get better with his stick, he can be effective without adding that other tool, which isn't in his nature, into his tool box.

At 28, Tage has only very recently begun to us his size and strength to his advantage. He's driving the net, finishing checks, literally throwing dudes around the rink like they're ragdolls. At 23 he was strictly a finesse player. Power will figure it out.

Idk, let's say he develops another 15%, how good would that make him.

Are players that weren't invited to their camp even eligible?

Thompson played about 160 games b4 his breakout season. Power is already at 250+ games. He's never in college or the NHL used his body. He's not skinny and he's plenty strong. You can't train away the issues Power has.

He just turned 23 a few days ago. Do you believe he's still developing? Or has he plateaued and this is who he is?

IMHO - it's not about strength and pounds for Power, but rather how he's wired inside his head. If Power played with half the aggression and tenacity as say Z. Benson does, we would not be having this conversation. Size does not matter for Power, which is a shame in that he'll never take advantage of it. If he was only 6-0 tall (vs. 6-5), I don't think he would have been drafted in the top 5, let alone first overall. I hope I'm wrong, but for now I don't expect to see much improvement vs. what we have already seen. I was WRONG about Muel, so maybe I'll be wrong about Power 😉

Muel making a serious argument for Team USA 😳

Power can if he wants to. He has the tools and the skills His desire and commitment are the unknowns. Samuelson proved his desire and commitment this past offseason. Leadership by example. Power? Your turn?

Heck, icing is a judgement call. They intentionally haven't gone to full no-touch icing which would remove that need for linesmen to exercise their judgement. What you seem to be arguing is that a rare play that could lead to additional offense should not be allowed because a significantly rarer play might require a linesman, who presumably was hired for good judgement, good powers of observation, and an ability to get to where he needs to be when he needs to be there in one of the fastest sports known to man, to demonstrate that good judgement. Is that your point? A lot of items to dislike about the current rules of the game. IMHO, this is not one of them.

https://www.nhl.com/sabres/video/kevyn-adams-4-19-23-343685944 This is Adams's season ender in 2023. Start just before the 7 minute mark. Adams makes clear that ending the drought, making the playoffs, success in the short-term, is at best a corporate stretch-target. It was the beginning of the end for Adams. The future is on hold until there is a new GM.

Glad I missed it by the sounds of it

IMHO it stems from not owning the drought. Seriously these guys, most of them anyway, withdrew the stick salute bc of booing. Kesselring misunderstands the booing as a normal hockey market. It's the drought, dummies.

I think that is fair. However tall skinny kids take time. See Tage. It takes longer to pack on lbs and strength and figure out how to use their body. If he ever does, he could be an elite D.

The owner, front office, and coaches aside, this is the most serious indictment of this team, imo. Desire is all on the players. It is unfathomable.

Some folks like it.

Owen Power is a decent #3 defender who can run your #1 pp and can play 20 mins a night without hurting you much. He's solid defensively but bad along the walls. His passing is very good. He's never going to be a guy who uses his body to leverage positions or move players. He's never going to be aggressive enough at the blueline. Power is a good player, he's not gonna be an elite player.

I get that but it also creates a weird situation if a skater loses contact with the puck while dragging the lock behind them. Then it becomes a judgment call. Is the puck under control or not?

No he won't.