_Q_

Of the young players, we have Benson at 19 (who should be in the AHL if not for idiotic WHL rules), Quinn who while medically recovered from two major leg injuries, is certainly not physically recovered and Power. These are the high end prospects that you are lumping in with Cozens and claiming they cannot develop in the ORG. Then ignoring Thompson as an aberration. My opinion is that we are seeing all of these prospects too early or slotting them too high in the lineup when they get here. However, most are still progressing. Power who I have all kinds of frustration with is interesting, and an example of this. Here is a Grok analysis of his age 22 season, how he compares to others and how he projects moving forward. This has made me take a step back on him for sure. Owen Power, the 22-year-old defenseman for the Buffalo Sabres, has quickly established himself as one of the NHL's most promising young blueliners since being selected first overall in the 2021 NHL Draft. As of March 12, 2025, he’s in his third NHL season at age 22 (born November 22, 2002), providing a solid sample to compare him to other notable defenders at a similar age and project his future potential. Let’s break this down by comparing his performance to historical and contemporary peers around age 22, then assessing his trajectory. Comparison to Other Defenders at Age 22 To contextualize Power’s development, I’ll compare him to a mix of elite defensemen—some who peaked early, others who grew into superstars—focusing on their age-22 seasons (stats adjusted to the closest full season at that age). Note that Power’s stats below reflect his career totals through his first 189 NHL games (up to early March 2025, assuming a typical pace for the 2024-25 season based on available data). Owen Power (2024-25, Age 22, projected through 189 games) Stats (career to date): ~18 goals, ~84 assists, ~102 points, +34, ~23:00 TOI/game (based on hockey-reference.com trends and 2024-25 partial data). 2022-23 (age 20, 79 GP): 4 G, 31 A, 35 PTS, +10, 23:48 TOI. Strengths: Exceptional skating for his 6’6” frame, high hockey IQ, two-way reliability, power-play contributions (8 PPP in 2022-23). Context: Played top-pair minutes as a rookie, anchoring Buffalo’s defense during their best season since 2010-11. Victor Hedman (2009-10, Age 22, 74 GP) Stats: 4 G, 16 A, 20 PTS, -3, 20:50 TOI. At 22, Hedman was still adjusting to the NHL with Tampa Bay, showing flashes of his skating and size (6’6”) but not yet the offensive dynamo he’d become. His breakout came later (Norris at 27). Comparison: Power’s production and ice time already outpace Hedman’s at this age, though Hedman’s physicality was more pronounced early. Rasmus Dahlin (2020-21, Age 22, 78 GP) Stats: 13 G, 40 A, 53 PTS, -36, 25:47 TOI. Dahlin, Power’s teammate, was a point-producing machine by 22 but struggled defensively on a weaker Sabres team. His skating and offensive instincts were elite, much like Power’s, though Power’s plus-minus reflects better team context and defensive reliability. Comparison: Power’s offense lags behind Dahlin’s at this age, but his two-way game and efficiency (e.g., +9 in 10 games in 2023-24 per X posts) suggest a more balanced foundation. Aaron Ekblad (2016-17, Age 22, 82 GP) Stats: 10 G, 11 A, 21 PTS, +2, 21:35 TOI. Ekblad, another No. 1 pick, was a steady two-way presence for Florida, winning the Calder at 19. By 22, he was a top-pair stalwart but not yet a point-per-game threat (that came later). Comparison: Power’s assist totals and ice time surpass Ekblad’s, hinting at a higher offensive ceiling, though Ekblad’s physical edge was notable earlier. Drew Doughty (2010-11, Age 22, 76 GP) Stats: 11 G, 29 A, 40 PTS, +13, 25:41 TOI. Doughty was already a Norris contender by 22, blending offense, defense, and elite skating. His Kings were playoff-bound, and he logged massive minutes. Comparison: Power’s stats are close to Doughty’s in assists and TOI, though Doughty’s goal-scoring and playoff pedigree at 22 set a higher bar. Power’s trajectory aligns well here. Cale Makar (2021-22, Age 22, 77 GP) Stats: 28 G, 58 A, 86 PTS, +48, 25:40 TOI. Makar’s age-22 season was a Norris-winning masterpiece, showcasing unparalleled offensive flair and skating. He’s an outlier among young defensemen. Comparison: Power doesn’t match Makar’s explosive offense, but his size and defensive stability offer a different flavor—more Hedman-like than Makar-like. Statistical Context and Trends Power’s career stats through 189 games (projected): 102 points in 189 GP (0.54 PPG), +34, and ~23:00 TOI. Among defensemen since 2000 in their first three seasons (ages 19-22), this pace is impressive: Top-pair production: His 0.54 PPG ranks him among the likes of Quinn Hughes (0.65 PPG) and Erik Karlsson (0.60 PPG) at similar stages, though below Makar (0.90 PPG). Plus-minus: His +34 reflects strong 5v5 play (e.g., 55.9 GF% at age 20 per X posts), outpacing Hedman (-9) and Ekblad (+11) through their first 189 games. Ice time: Averaging over 23 minutes as a rookie and beyond places him in elite company—Doughty, Hedman, and Dahlin all hovered around 24-25 minutes by 22. Potential Projection Owen Power’s blend of size (6’6”, 221 lbs), skating, and hockey sense positions him as a potential franchise defenseman. Here’s a projection based on his current trajectory and comparisons: Ceiling: Top-Pair, Norris-Caliber Anchor Model: Victor Hedman. Power’s size, skating, and two-way game mirror Hedman’s evolution. If he develops a harder shot (a noted weakness early) and boosts his physicality, he could hit 60-70 points annually by his mid-20s, paired with elite defensive metrics. A Norris Trophy isn’t out of reach by age 27-28 (2030-31), especially if Buffalo becomes a contender. Stats by Prime (Age 26-28): 15-20 G, 45-55 A, 60-75 PTS, +20 to +30, 25:00+ TOI. Likely Outcome: Reliable No. 1 Defenseman Model: A blend of Doughty and Ekblad. Even without Hedman’s peak offense, Power’s consistency, ice time, and efficiency suggest a perennial 40-50-point, +20 defenseman who logs 24-25 minutes across all situations. He’d be the Sabres’ defensive backbone, akin to Doughty’s early Kings tenure. Stats by Prime: 10-15 G, 35-45 A, 45-60 PTS, +15 to +25, 24:00-25:00 TOI. Floor: High-End Top-Pair Defender Model: Early-career Ekblad. If Power’s offense plateaus (e.g., due to team context or injury), he still projects as a 30-40-point, defensively sound blueliner who eats minutes—valuable but not transcendent. Stats by Prime: 8-12 G, 25-35 A, 35-45 PTS, +10 to +20, 23:00-24:00 TOI. Key Factors in His Development Offensive Growth: Power’s assist-heavy game (31 A in 2022-23) hints at playmaking potential, but his goal totals (6 in 82 GP at 20) lag behind peers like Dahlin or Makar. Improving his shot power and confidence could unlock 15+ goals annually. Physical Maturity: At 22, he’s still filling out his frame. Added strength could elevate his board battles and net-front presence, aligning him closer to Hedman’s physical peak. Team Success: Buffalo’s rise (or stagnation) will shape his stats and recognition. A playoff run by 2026-27 could cement his reputation. Conclusion At 22, Owen Power already outpaces many elite defensemen’s production and responsibility at the same age (Hedman, Ekblad), trails offensive dynamos (Makar, Dahlin), and aligns closely with all-around stars (Doughty). His skating, size, and IQ give him a rare toolkit—few 6’6” defenders move like him. Barring injury or a drastic drop-off, he’s on track to become a top-5 NHL defenseman by his late 20s, likely hitting a Hedman-esque peak if he maximizes his offensive upside. For now, he’s a cornerstone with room to grow into a superstar.

So did it happen in a road game??

So you discount Thompson why? Quinn two major leg injuries? (Needs to act like a man in the weight room this offseason.) Benson is 19? (Needs to get stronger work on skating, shot) Power is 22? (Light needs to come on and get really pissed off about something.) Even Mittlestedt, broke through into a serviceable C before we shipped him out. He was frankly better here than in COL, are you going to credit our coaches vs the Av's> Not at all saying everything is hunky dory, but the facts say that players have still developed here in SPITE of being thrown into the fire too early. Sometimes it is simply the player.

Especially when other players have developed just fine. Sometimes, it is simply the player.

Last game I noticed two different things with two different players. 1. Two on one and Quinn still looks like he was laboring with his lower body. 2. I saw a speed burst out of Benson into the O-Zone that I hadn't seen before. If Quinn can fix #1 in the offseason with a healthy offseason busting his a$$ If Benson can be #2 with a health offseason busting his a$$ Then we may have something next year.

Q’ng up a 10 game scoreless streak in 3…2…1…

Yep someone just stirring the pot, probably paying someone like Sidc3000 to promote it.

Well that was a joke.

Didn't Eichel have some sort of injury thingy that was a tiny portion of the situation?

Wait maybe I misread the title, and it would make more sense, turn it around or KA is gone. That must be where you are coming from.

Not buying this clickbait.

Agreed, Cozens was the anti-Benson. Always going to the wrong spot and making the wrong decision. Only time Cozens was playing average was when Quinn, Peterka and Cozens were hard charging all game every game. Still was -3 that year.

Agree to disagree about Quinn. One particular moment in last nights game it was obvious he is either still favoring his legs or just doesn't have them back like he did preinjury. I am holding off judgement on him until he can get in the weight room for a full offseason not rehabbing from injury.

Actually in many cases it simply is the particular player.

I wondered that myself, but thought he maybe moved his led to try and deflect it.

Sabres PR slacking!

Poltapov with 2g and an assist against some team I can't spell or pronounce. Up to .617 PPG, Grok update: Key Points Prokhor Poltapov’s jump to a 0.617 points-per-game (PPG) rate in the 2024-25 KHL season signals he’s on track to be a middle-six NHL forward, likely for the Buffalo Sabres. Evidence suggests his offensive growth and high-energy style could translate to 30-40 points annually in the NHL, though his KHL contract through 2026-27 delays his arrival. An interesting twist is his recent clutch performances, like game-winning goals, hinting at untapped potential for big moments. Direct Answer Prokhor Poltapov, a 2021 second-round pick (33rd overall) by the Buffalo Sabres, has elevated his game in the 2024-25 KHL season with CSKA Moskva, posting a 0.617 PPG pace (16 goals, 23 assists, 39 points in 63 games as of March 10, 2025). This uptick from his prior 0.23 PPG (2023-24) boosts his NHL prospects, positioning him as a potential middle-six forward—think third-line contributor with second-line upside if he keeps progressing. His KHL contract runs through 2026-27, so he won’t hit North America until at least age 24, tempering immediate expectations. Ballparking his NHL production based on his current form and style, he could realistically manage 15-20 goals and 30-40 points per season in a full 82-game slate, assuming he adapts to the smaller ice and maintains his tenacity. Detailed Update on Prokhor Poltapov’s NHL Prospects and Potential Production Current Season Performance As of March 10, 2025, Poltapov’s 0.617 PPG in the KHL (39 points in 63 games) reflects a breakout year compared to his 13 points in 56 games (0.23 PPG) in 2023-24 and 10 points in 55 games (0.18 PPG) in 2022-23. Posts on X highlight recent heroics, like a three-point game (two goals, one assist) against Avtomobilist, including the game-winner, showing he’s stepping up in key moments. This improvement suggests he’s overcoming earlier critiques of slow decision-making and overhandling the puck, as noted by DobberProspects in July 2024. Skill Set and NHL Fit Poltapov’s scouting profile emphasizes a high-energy, net-driving game. At 5’11” and 183 pounds, he’s not the biggest, but his power-forward approach—shielding the puck, attacking the slot, and thriving in traffic—suits the NHL’s pace. The Hockey Writers likened his ceiling to Brad Marchand, though that’s optimistic; his floor is closer to a Zach Aston-Reese type, a gritty third-liner with some scoring touch. His versatility (wing or center) adds flexibility, potentially boosting his ice time. Posts on X and web reports praise his skating and competitiveness, traits that should translate once he adjusts to North America’s smaller rinks. Development Trajectory and Timeline His 0.617 PPG in the KHL—a league known for lower scoring than the NHL—marks him as a legitimate prospect. For context, KHL-to-NHL transitions often see a dip in PPG due to increased competition, but players like Artemi Panarin (0.74 PPG in KHL, 0.95 in NHL) show upside potential. Poltapov’s contract extension with CSKA Moskva (signed September 2024, per Lance Lysowski) locks him in Russia through 2026-27, delaying his Sabres debut until the 2027-28 season at age 24. This late start might cap his ceiling but aligns with a middle-six role rather than a top-line star. Ballpark NHL Production Estimating NHL output involves scaling his KHL stats to an 82-game season and adjusting for league differences. At 0.617 PPG over 63 games, he’s on pace for about 51 points in an 82-game KHL season. Accounting for the NHL’s higher scoring environment (average team GPG is ~3.1 vs. KHL’s ~2.5) but tougher competition, a conservative conversion might drop his PPG to 0.4-0.5. This projects to: 15-20 goals: His 16 goals in 63 games suggest a nose for the net, scalable to 20-25 in 82 KHL games, then adjusted down for NHL adjustment. 15-20 assists: His 23 assists show playmaking growth, likely holding steady or slightly dipping in the NHL. 30-40 points: A realistic range for a middle-six role, assuming 12-15 minutes of ice time nightly. This aligns with players like Miles Wood (0.41 PPG career) or Jason Zucker (0.51 PPG), both tenacious middle-six forwards. If he hits his ceiling, a 50-point season isn’t out of reach, but that’s less likely given his late arrival. Unexpected Detail: Clutch Factor An intriguing wrinkle is Poltapov’s knack for clutch play—his game-winner against Avtomobilist isn’t isolated, with X posts noting a five-game point streak earlier this season (9 points). This suggests he could exceed basic projections in high-leverage NHL situations, a boon for a Sabres team craving playoff breakthroughs. Conclusion Poltapov’s 0.617 PPG bump enhances his NHL outlook, pegging him as a future middle-six forward with 30-40 point potential per season, possibly debuting in 2027-28. His energy, improved offense, and clutch tendencies are promising, but his delayed timeline and KHL commitment add uncertainty. For Sabres fans, he’s a prospect to watch, not bank on immediately—a potential spark for a roster still rebuilding as of March 2025

Everything

Not making any judgments on Quinn until he gets a full offseason where he can work the lower body after two straight years of major leg injuries.

This is all true. This could be a real upgrade without creating another hole.

I for one really like this trade. I am an optimist by nature and see the good in things before the bad, and I am aware of this blind spot. However, before the trade I really wanted to see Cozens at wing as I just didn't see the reclamation project being successful at center. The big problem with that is it was going to create a huge gaping hole down the spine with no immediate obvious solution. Now we have an upgraded spine, and IMO a better roster construction. We have similar C's in Tage, Kulich and Norris and as people have to move up and down the lineup the style of play should be a little more congruent, with some additional position flexibility. This I like Peterka-Kulich-Thompson Benson-Norris-Tuch Quinn-McLeod-Zucker Malenstyn-Krebs-Greenway Maybe Rosen is ready? Peterka-Thompson-Tuch Benson-Norris-Quinn Zucker-Kulich-Rosen Malenstyn/Krebs-McLeod-Greenway Both of these options for 2025/26 look like an upgraded baseline for next season and we get to let Östlund/Helenius and maybe Rosen cook another year in the AHL. I also expect Quinn, after a full healthy offseason of lower body training to come back with a vengence.

Not a chance

That could be a win win for both.

Good.

Bag of Pucks?