Power excited to make Sabres debut in hometown vs. Maple Leafs

The Buffalo Sabres will finally get to see Owen Power in NHL action on Tuesday night against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The first overall pick of the 2021 draft and Mississauga native is even more excited that he gets to make his debut in his hometown.

"I think it's extremely special. Anyone's NHL debut is a really special moment, but to be able to have it in my hometown with all my family here, I think just makes it that much better," Power said Monday, according to TSN.

"I think just go out there and play my game. Like I said, I know it's gonna be an adjustment, but I don't think I need to change the way that I play. I think I'll adjust on the fly and just go out there, play my game, and have fun."

Power just wrapped up his second season at Michigan, where he scored three goals and added 29 assists in 33 games. He also represented Team Canada at the Olympics, managing one assist in five games.

Sabres head coach Don Granato noted how incredible he feels to see how Power's jumped from team to team over the past couple of years and stayed on the top of his game. He also represented Canada at the world juniors and world championship.

"If you think of how many teams he's been on in the last two years and the pressure's he's had on him or the hype he's had on him for the last two years, it just rolls off him," Granato said. "He handles it pretty well - especially when he puts his hockey gear on."

This is how the team's defensive pairings looked at practice Monday:

Power became the NHL's third defenseman to be taken first overall in the NHL since 2007. The Sabres selected Rasmus Dahlin in 2018, and the Florida Panthers took Aaron Ekblad in 2014.