Power healthy and stronger

[dudacek]

Says he’s spent a lot of time in the weight room, and with the new strength coach.

Feels confident in his body and focused on being better defensively.

https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/buffalo-sabres-owen-power-injury-rehab-partner-michael-kesselring-conor-timmins-brian-galivan-2025-26-season

[LGR4GM]

Unless he suddenly learns that he needs to be mean in his zone and not just lean on guys but impose himself, he could be Hercules and it wouldn't change much. 

[CallawaySabres]

If this guy does not show he has an ounce of piss and vinegar in him this year, he is dead to me.

[LGR4GM]

Power reaching a new level and getting 40+ points again, that would be great. If he was above even in his own end and then good to elite offensively in the offensive zone, he'd turn the tables because Buffalo could spend 50 minutes a night with 2 defense pairs that are nightmares. 

He better work hard and mean. 

[That Aud Smell]

2 hours ago, LGR4GM said:

Unless he suddenly learns that he needs to be mean in his zone and not just lean on guys but impose himself, he could be Hercules and it wouldn't change much. 

47 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

Power reaching a new level and getting 40+ points again, that would be great. If he was above even in his own end and then good to elite offensively in the offensive zone, he'd turn the tables because Buffalo could spend 50 minutes a night with 2 defense pairs that are nightmares. 

He better work hard and mean. 

When did the Inkification of Liger occur?

I don't think of Lidström as "mean" - by way of example.

I'll settle for Power being heavy and physical in his own end.

I don't think there's much, if any, "mean" to tap into with him.

[xzy89c1]

20 minutes ago, That Aud Smell said:

When did the Inkification of Liger occur?

I don't think of Lidström as "mean" - by way of example.

I'll settle for Power being heavy and physical in his own end.

I don't think there's much, if any, "mean" to tap into with him.

Lidstrom was an elite defensive and offensive player almost from moment he came into league. Would love Power to play the positionally genius way Nick did. He does not, and appears lost at times.

[Mustache of God]

I've seen a lot of articles/talk about who needs to step up this year to turn things around and I've noticed Powers has been absent from most of those lists. If he can't get it together in the defensive zone we're going to have problems. I've been patient with him since he came into the league at such a young age, but now's the time for him to take a leap.

[dudacek]

15 minutes ago, Mustache of God said:

I've seen a lot of articles/talk about who needs to step up this year to turn things around and I've noticed Powers has been absent from most of those lists. If he can't get it together in the defensive zone we're going to have problems. I've been patient with him since he came into the league at such a young age, but now's the time for him to take a leap.

I think Luukkonen is the most important piece in terms of stepping up, but Power and Quinn are neck-and-neck for number 2

[That Aud Smell]

1 hour ago, xzy89c1 said:

Lidstrom was an elite defensive and offensive player almost from moment he came into league. Would love Power to play the positionally genius way Nick did. He does not, and appears lost at times.

Hear, hear.

I was just confused over Liger's call for Power to be "mean." I've used the metaphor of a crease-clearing gorilla before. I've stuck with it because I just dig it. I think it's the combination of crease clearing (alliteration) and an inherently fun word gorilla.

Anyhoo. Power's never gonna be mean. Maybe in flashes, here or there. But he's not gonna become a  mean, nasty mofo.

Set aside the example of an all-world player like Lidstrom. Can Power just be stout and tough in his own end like Billy Hajt was?

Edited 3 hours ago by That Aud Smell

[inkman]

2 hours ago, That Aud Smell said:

When did the Inkification of Liger occur?

I don't think of Lidström as "mean" - by way of example.

I'll settle for Power being heavy and physical in his own end.

I don't think there's much, if any, "mean" to tap into with him.

Hmmm

[mjd1001]

Unlike most other people.. I don't really need him to be physical at all to be happy with his play. 

If he scores 10 to 15 goals... Gets 30 to 40 assists... And most importantly uses his size and reach to get to loose pucks and get them out of the zone before the opponents can get to him... Then I don't need him to be physical. 

In a way... Him learning to use his reach to clog up passing Lanes and to reach loose pucks and tip them away from the defender more effectively than a smaller guy does.. That's a form of using his size in a way I would accept.

All things being equal it will be great if he would be physical and hit more, but if he does the other things and uses his size positionally, he can be an effective two-way defenseman without it.

Edited 2 hours ago by mjd1001

[GoPuckYourself]

[LTS]

I'll take a player who is relentless.  He's not shown that ability and so muscle won't help him succeed. Now, if the muscle gives him the confidence to have success in adding a relentless quality to his game.. great.