[BN] Hockey: Owen Power is part of the ‘bright future’ in defense |

The six Sabers defensemen on Tuesday night in Toronto were all under the age of 26. The top four offered three 22-year-old players and 19-year-old Owen Power.

At times, the group dominated a talented, playoff-bound Maple Leafs team with one of the best players in the game, Auston Matthews.

That’s what the Sabers had in mind when they took Rasmus Dahlin and Mattias Samuelsson with their first two picks in the 2018 draft and when they traded for Henri Jokiharju. The foundations for their future were built from the blue line.

“The additions of Power and Mattias Samuelsson, combined with Rasmus Dahlin’s blistering season, provide Buffalo with the foundation for a defense that could become one of the best in the NHL,” Lance Lysowski wrote the day after the games. Power’s debut.

These last seven games will help the Sabers develop this group and gauge where the team is at.

Tuesday coverage: It was a historic night for the Sabers in Toronto, where Power’s debut ended in a fun win over the Maple Leafs in the playoffs.

Start? It felt like Power was there from the start, Mike Harrington wrote in his column. Read more

“He’s going to be a superstar in this league,” Power’s new teammate Alex Tuch said after his debut. Read more

It was a big day for the Sabers in Toronto. Here is a photo gallery of the morning skate. See the pictures

And another from the game. See the pictures

Bright future: From SportsNet’s Luke Fox: “There are a lot of people in Buffalo – and in Toronto – who should be thrilled” with Owen Power’s arrival in Buffalo. The Sabres, he writes, finally seem to have a bright future. Read more

The Blues on the edge of the abyss: It would take a meltdown at this point to miss the playoffs. But six straight wins puts the Blues, tonight’s opponent, on course for a playoff spot. Read more

Invoices: NFL Draft preview: Linebacker looms as ‘sneaky’ need for Buffalo Bills Read more

Wade Phillips and Jim Haslett named new XFL head coaches Read more

ESPN’s Mel Kiper latest mock draft has Bills selecting Michigan defensive back Read more

Colleges: Despite what the survey says, UB football players say the team is anything but boring Read more

High Schools: Photos: Cleveland Hill and Medina square off on a baseball field See the pictures

Trey Kleitz of the Iroquois signs with Roberts Wesleyan for basketball Read more

Today in Sports History: April 14

have thoughts about [BN] Hockey newsletter and Sabers coverage? Email sports editor Josh Barnett at [email protected]