Is Owen Power running away from the Buffalo Sabres?
PUBLICATION
Jeff Drouin
August 20, 2021 (9:48 PM)
To no one's surprise, the University of Michigan made it official on Friday that defenseman Owen Power will return for next season. The 18-year-old, who was selected first overall in the last draft by the Buffalo Sabres, will thus be in his second NCAA campaign, becoming the first player since Erik Johnson in 2006 to not make the jump directly to the NHL after being selected first overall.
While this news will make the Michigan Wolverines' team very happy, it is very disappointing for Buffalo Sabres fans who will have to wait to see their new prodigy in action. Moreover, this return to University for Power could prove to be very worrisome for the Sabres organization, if we believe the words of TSN analysts Gord Miller and Dave Feschuk.
They discussed the subject in the latest edition of their podcast OverDrive. Feschuk made a statement that could be the talk of the town when he explained that he would feel humiliated, if he were the Sabres, by the decision of their young prodigy.
"If I were the Sabres, I would feel humiliated."
In explaining his point of view, Feschuk mentions the fact that such a situation has not happened since Erik Johnson 15 years ago, and this could demonstrate a certain amount of recoil from Power's decision to join the Sabres. Furthermore, Feschuk seems concerned that Power's progress could stagnate during this extra year in college, as the senior proved at the last World Hockey Championship that he was ready to compete with the world's elite.
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Miller, on the other hand, has a much more positive outlook on the situation. Unlike Feschuk, Miller points out that, regardless of their status, players should only come to the professional ranks when they feel ready, not when their team decides they are ready. Owen Power will likely get a chance to play in the World Junior Championship next winter, something he didn't get to do last year and probably wouldn't have done if he had been with the Sabres.
Finally, another positive, the University of Michigan will be a powerhouse, on paper, next season. Forwards Matthew Beniers (second overall by the Kraken) and Kent Johnson (fifth overall by the Blue Jackets) will also be back next year, not to mention other top NHL prospects like Luke Hughes, Brendan Brisson, Thomas Bordeleau, John Beecher, Erik Portillo and Mackie Samoskevich.
In short, it's two completely opposite points of view that we got in this exchange between Gord Miller and Dave Feschuk. Who do you think is right? Is Owen Power trying to avoid joining the Buffalo Sabres, even if it means going all the way through college, or will he just be placed in a better position to progress in college than be in the lower ranks of the National League with the Sabres?
It's up to you to decide which side you're on, but one thing is for sure, there will be a lot more talk about this issue...
Previously on HabsFanatics
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