How acquired:Selected with No. 1 pick in 2021 NHL Draft
2021-22 season:University of Michigan (NCAA): 33 GP, 3-29-32; Buffalo (NHL): 8 GP, 2-1-3
Power opted to return to Michigan to hone his skills after he was drafted, and the decision appears to have paid dividends. The slick, puck-moving defenseman has the rare combination of size (6-foot-6, 213 pounds) and skill, and averaged almost a point-per-game last season at the college level.
The 19-year-old got a taste of NHL life by joining the Sabres near the end of the season and showed the composure of someone far beyond his years. The prospect of a defense anchored by Power and Rasmus Dahlin, a 22-year-old chosen with the No. 1 pick in the 2018 NHL Draft, is reason for optimism in Buffalo.
"I see (Power) as an all-situations guy, someone who's going to be out there whether the team is up by one, down by one, power play, penalty kill, whatever," general manager Kevyn Adams said. "He's always looking to get better, and that's exactly the type of player and person we want for the Buffalo Sabres."
Projected NHL arrival:This season