Owen Power Leaves Michigan, Signs Entry-Level Contract With Sabres

Former first-overall pick Owen Power signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Buffalo Sabres on Friday.

The Buffalo Sabres have signed defenseman Owen Power to a three-year, entry-level contract.

Buffalo has been a surprise club in the second half since moving Jack Eichel to Vegas, with young players Rasmus Dahlin, Dylan Cozens, and Tage Thompson showing growth and the potential of being foundation pieces.

On Friday, the club added another potential cornerstone, with the signing of Power.

Around Full Press Hockey

NHL: Senators Honour Eugene Melnyk With a Few Great Performances

NHL Rumors: NHL Rumors: Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, Philadelphia Flyers

NHL:  The Possibility of Patrick Kane Leaving The Chicago Blackhawks

NFL: FPC 2022 NFL Mock Draft 4.0: Getting Defensive Rather Early

Wrestling: NXT Black and Gold Shine In Loss To NXT 2.0 in War Games Match

PODCAST: Full Press NHL Podcast Ep 25: Eugene Melnyk Passes Away; NHL Salary Cap Rises

The 19-year-old blueliner chose to return to the University of Michigan for his sophomore season after being selected first overall by the Sabres in the 2021 NHL Draft and had an eventful season, posting 32 points (3 goals, 29 assists) in 33 games for the Wolverines, as well as playing for Canada at the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championships and the 2022 Olympics in Beijing, but could not achieve his goal of winning a NCAA title, as Michigan was eliminated by Denver in the Frozen Four on Thursday.

“A couple hours after the game, I reached out to (agent) Pat (Brisson) and made sure that we had a good conversation and we’re on the same page.” Sabres GM Kevyn Adams said in a Zoom call on Friday. “I also connected with Owen, and (Sabres goaltending prospect) Erik (Portillo) and we spoke a little bit and then picked it back up this morning.”

According to CapFriendly, Power’s three-year rookie deal does not include performance bonuses in the first year, but with him playing for the Sabres immediately, it does allow him to burn the first year of his contract and become a restricted free agent at the end of the 2023-24 season. The blueliner is expected to join the Sabres on their road trip in Florida this weekend and Adams indicated that the Toronto native will make his debut in his hometown against the Maple Leafs on Tuesday.

Adams also revealed that the Sabres are in talks to sign Portillo and University of Minnesota defenseman Ryan Johnson, who were both selected by Buffalo in 2019.

“We have already been in conversations with both of them, making sure I’ve reached out last night and today just to make sure that they know where we are and start that dialogue,” Adams said. “(We) will continue to do that (and) see how it shakes out over the next few days.”

The 21-year-old Portillo played 42 games for Michigan as a sophomore but may see a crowded situation between the pipes in Buffalo with prospect Ukka-Pekka Luukkonen playing in Rochester and Northeastern’s Devon Levi a Hobey Baker Award finalist. Johnson, 20, had 19 points as a junior with the Golden Gophers and could become an unrestricted free agent in August 2023 if he chooses not to sign with the Sabres.