With the lottery merely days away, let’s play the ever engaging “What If…” game. Suppose the Los Angeles logo is displayed for either the first or second overall pick on June 2. On top of the hype of winning the lottery two years in a row, getting a higher pick in a draft where anything goes can ensure a higher probability of landing the player you want.
We have mentioned it before. Even for those forgetful, the tea leaves can be read: The Kings have picked forwards with their most recent top picks. They are looking at a defenseman in the top-10.
The World Championships are currently underway. Few draft eligible players are talented enough to represent their country against adults. One such participant also happens to patrol the blueline, so how about we take a look at him?
OWEN POWER
Vitals
Date of Birth: November 22, 2002
Height: 6’5
Weight: 214 lbs
Shoots: Left
Position: Defenseman
2020-21 Season
Power played the entirety of the 2020-21 season for the Michigan Wolverines in NCAA hockey. He accumulated 16 points (3 G, 13 A) in 26 contests.
Chosen Marvel Superhero
The towering defenseman was drafted by two teams in 2018: OHL’s Flint Firebirds or the USHL’s Chicago Steel. It was a major choice going forward – should he opt for staying in Ontario’s top major junior league, college hockey would be off the table. If the choice was college hockey, Chicago would serve as the best stepping stone.
In the Marvel Universe, he chose Wolverine over Firebird.
Selective International Play
One of the highest markings of an elite prospect in his draft class is the invitation to represent your country during the World Junior Championships. Power did not have that honor this year, as Michigan declined him for the nearly two-month long absence.
Once the school year was over, the highly-skilled blueliner donned the maple leaf as he represented Canada for the World Championships – an annual international tournament for adults. In his five appearances so far, he’s tied for third in team scoring with three points (all assists).
They Grow Up So Fast
One of the biggest concerns for any first-year player, in any league, is adjusting. That has not been the case for the prospective top pick of the draft. In his first season with Chicago, Power was awarded the All-Rookie Second Team honors. The year after, he was recognized for the most points made by a defenseman, defenseman of the year, and made the First All-Star team.
As a freshman in collegiate hockey now, he already made the B1G All-Rookie team and Second All-Star team.
Rankings by Independent Scouting Services
Ranked first by The Draft Analyst. ” A big, agile two-way defenseman with an incredibly high panic threshold and pro-level smarts, Power is exactly the type of cornerstone player teams look to build around and he’s passing the NHL readiness test with solid play at the ongoing IIHF Men’s World Championship.”
Ranked first by Bob McKenzie’s Draft Rankings. “He is incredibly mobile and agile for such a big man. While he’s not considered an elite point-producing offensive talent nor is he regarded as a physically-punishing defensive or shutdown defenceman, he’s viewed as well above average in all the fundamental areas — skating, skill, hockey sense and competitiveness, as well as the ability to move the puck, get shots on goal and defend in his own zone.”
Ranked sixth by Future Considerations. One of FC’s scouts wrote this in their recent report: “Coming away from this game, I have great confidence in saying Power will be an effective defenseman who can play in the top-4, with the ability to contribute on both special teams. The big question being, will he be a top pair or No. 1 defenseman. He is very strong and smooth on his edges, able to stay balanced and move around the ice efficiently.”
See For Yourself
Here is a shift-by-shift video of Power early in his collegiate season playing against Minnesota. Los Angeles Kings prospect, Brock Faber, was not present in this game (he was away for WJC camp). The potential lottery pick wears No. 22 in white.
Final Comments
Watching Power, two things immediately come to mind: his size and his collection of talents. He towers over the opposition. While size isn’t the defining factor it used to be, it’s important to remember why it is still important. For defenders, they need to be able to outmuscle a skater bearing down, and also have the capability to pin forecheckers on the boards. Some larger blueliners, like Zdeno Chara, can also put more weight behind a slap shot, yet a 6’1 Colin Miller or Martin Frk have demonstrated that is more about technique.
When looking at Power, he has not utilized his size at the collegiate level as much as possible. This isn’t calling him a “soft” player. The lack of use of size more acts as an indicator of untapped potential. Should the growing 6’5 frame be employed on a regular basis, there’s not much in the way of stopping him.
Even in the event a physical game never develops, Power uses his skillset the “right” way. The skating, control, and movement of the puck are all very fluid. While high end, he isn’t flashy. One of the common tactics of a skilled skater is to wander around, carry the puck, and buy himself time. The native of Mississauga, ON, does none of this. He moves with a purpose and executes, using enough agility to escape danger.
This poses a question for the Kings: What if they land a top-two pick for the 2021 NHL Entry Draft? Would Power be on their radar?
As mentioned at the top of the article, the Kings are expected to pursue a blueliner. They have a variety of skillsets patrolling their blueline, yet Power would be a unique one. His composition of size and skill would give the developmental staff the opportunity to fully develop a prospect. They have a proven history of improving the defensive awareness and positioning of players. With Power, it’s not a lack of discipline to contribute defensively. He simply needs to learn to use his body mechanics effectively fighting against players as well as they are used to explore the open ice.
NOTE: David Hofreiter was the lead contributor in the gathering of information used in this article. You can find him on Twitter @Davidenkness to talk more hockey.
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The odds of landing him are vanishing small unless a trade of a good prospect, or two, our 8-10 pick, a couple second rounders, and possibly a future first. If I’m BUF that’s what I am holding out for to start the building process.
Wednesday night will be a big fork-in-the-road moment. Will the NHL Draft Lottery help the Kings or will they need to come up with an alternate plan to move up from 8-9-10 in the hopes of securing a defenseman this year? Big night coming up.
Just had a thought. If BUF goes Power does that make Dahlin more available, though not necessarily cheaper? Unfortunately this is economics and not intrinsic, objective value of a player(ala gm more on PlayStation). It’s what he’s worth to a team and what they’re willing to pay.
If you can figure out what Buffalo is up to, you’re one step ahead of everybody else.
Magic Eightball is not helping. They’re an enigma.
It’s an idea though. They’re in another iteration of building. They have multiple needs even if they keep Eichel and Reinhardt.
It is barter economics, though. That makes this so much harder.
Hopefully, Blake has learned something from his predecessor. Trading 1st round picks for nothing in return gets you fired. That, and a team moving from the penthouse to the outhouse. Moving up from 8 to say 5 should cost a second or 3rd. Not 6 pieces. The quality difference of players between 5 and 8 is not a lot. Power is not going to be a King. But there are about 3 more quality defensemen that very well could be.