“Owen Power’s Strong Recovery: Sabres Defenseman Ready to Dominate After Knee Injury”
🔥 OWEN POWER BACK TO FULL STRENGTH: SABRES' DEFENSEMAN LOOKS SHARP IN CAMP 🔥
Owen Power’s recovery from the knee injury that sidelined him late last season is nothing short of impressive. A few moments watching him at the Buffalo Sabres' training camp is all it takes to see there are no lingering effects from the collision he had with Florida’s Carter Verhaeghe in April. The former No. 1 overall pick is skating at full speed, showing zero signs of discomfort or limitation.
"I THINK WHETHER I WAS COMING OFF THE REHAB OR NOT, IT’S NICE TO GET OUT THERE AND START GETTING SOME REAL PRACTICES AND JUST START COMPETING WITH ALL THE GUYS. I FEEL GOOD. I THINK THE BODY FEELS REALLY GOOD. FEET FEEL A LITTLE QUICKER. SO I DEFINITELY FEEL GOOD. AND I THINK SOME OF THE STUFF I DID IN THE SUMMER REALLY HELPED FOR SURE,"
The knee injury, which initially appeared serious on replays, ended up being less severe than anticipated. By the end of last season, Power learned that rest and recovery were all he needed—not surgery. He was back on the ice by mid-July, fully healed, and ready for a normal summer of training. This extra time off, while unusual for Power, gave his body the much-needed rest, particularly for his hips and knee.
“OBVIOUSLY YOU GET A LITTLE ANTSY,” Power admitted about his time off, “BUT I THINK IT WAS A GOOD THING THAT I KIND OF GAVE MY BODY THE REST, MY HIPS AND OBVIOUSLY THE KNEE. SO I THINK AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT HELPED ME.”
Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff has been impressed with Power's recovery. “HE’S MOVING REALLY WELL. HE WAS ANXIOUS LATE JUNE TO GET ON THE ICE, BUT WAS STILL BEING HELD OFF AND GREAT TO SEE. HE IS REALLY MOVING GOOD NOW. HIS INJURY IS HEALED, AND HE FEELS GREAT OUT THERE.”
This year, Power enters his fourth full NHL season at 23, with the expectation that he’ll take his game to the next level. A big reason for his potential growth is the acquisition of his new defensive partner, Michael Kesselring, a 6-foot-5 right-handed defenseman. The Sabres have struggled to pair Power with a consistent partner in the past, but Kesselring could be the solution to that issue.
Power had high praise for Kesselring’s skills: “IT’S IMPRESSIVE HOW BIG HE IS AND HOW WELL HE MOVES. HIS FOOTWORK IS SO GOOD AND THEN HE’S ALSO REALLY GOOD WITH THE PUCK AS WELL. I’VE BEEN IMPRESSED WITH HIM AND I’M EXCITED FOR HIM TO BE HERE.”
Kesselring echoed similar sentiments, calling Power a “REALLY GOOD SKATER FOR HIS SIZE. OBVIOUSLY, HIS 'BOOTS' ARE REALLY GOOD, PRETTY DECEPTIVE AS WELL WITH THE PUCK AND SMOOTH.”
While the Power-Kesselring duo is expected to be a fixture for the Sabres this season, the team is counting on Power to improve both offensively and defensively. Power set career highs last season with 7 goals, 33 assists, and 40 points, but defensively, he struggled, finishing with a -13 rating. His physicality and puck awareness need improvement, but his offensive potential is undeniable.
"TO BE ABLE TO BE A REALLY GOOD DEFENSEMAN IN THIS LEAGUE, YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO DEFEND,” said coach Ruff, highlighting the importance of consistency on both ends of the ice.
Power himself has acknowledged the need to work on the finer details of his defensive game. “IT STARTS WITH THE DETAILS. I KNOW I’VE GOT TO BE MORE PHYSICAL. BUT IF I’M GOING TO JUST TRY AND RUN AROUND AND MY STICK’S NOT IN THE RIGHT SPOTS AND I’M NOT IN THE RIGHT SPOT, IT’S NOT REALLY GOING TO DO MUCH. FOCUS ON THE DETAILS, AND EVERYTHING ELSE COMES FROM THERE.”
The Sabres are counting on Power’s growth into one of the NHL’s top defensemen, and with Kesselring as his steady partner, Power is poised for an exciting season ahead. With his injury behind him, and a clear focus on his all-around game, 2025 could be a breakout year for the young star.
“DANIEL JONES' UNEXPECTED REVIVAL: FROM SCRUTINY TO SAVIOR OF THE COLTS' 2025 SEASON!”
🔥 DANIEL JONES SHINES IN INDIANAPOLIS: A NEW CHAPTER BEGINS 🔥
Today, the Indianapolis Colts (2-0) face their first AFC South matchup of the season as they head to Nashville to take on the Tennessee Titans (0-2). While the stakes for the game are high, the most compelling storyline surrounding the Colts this season is the unexpected resurgence of quarterback Daniel Jones—once a much-maligned figure in New York, now revitalized and thriving in Indianapolis.
"AFTER SIX YEARS OF SCRUTINY, I FINALLY FEEL LIKE I’VE FOUND MY ZEN. I’M READY TO LEAD THIS TEAM AND SHOW WHAT I CAN DO," Jones said, reflecting on his journey from the New York Giants to his current role with the Colts.
Jones' time with the Giants was filled with ups and downs, and after six years in New York, he endured intense criticism and a lack of consistency. However, with a fresh start in Indianapolis, Jones has looked better than ever, leading the Colts to a 2-0 start this season and proving that he’s capable of leading a successful offense.
Former NFL quarterback Chris Simms, in his show Chris Simms Unbuttoned, praised Jones’ impressive early-season performance, commenting on the adversity he has faced throughout his career. "HOW DO YOU NOT LOVE THE STORY OF DANIEL JONES? I MEAN, DANIEL JONES HAS TAKEN MORE SCRUTINY AND CRAP THAN I THINK ANY OTHER QUARTERBACK OVER THE LAST FIVE OR SIX YEARS,"
Jones’ statistics during his time with the Giants were far from stellar: 1,437 completions out of 2,241 attempts for 14,582 yards, 70 touchdowns, and 47 interceptions—along with a dismal 24-44-1 record. Yet, in his seventh season, Jones is showing a new level of composure and efficiency with the Colts. His early numbers speak for themselves: 45 completions on 63 attempts (71.4%), 588 passing yards, five total touchdowns, and only one turnover.
A significant factor in Jones’ success has been the team around him. As Simms points out, Jones now has the benefit of a competent playcaller in Shane Steichen, solid protection from the offensive line, and a talented group of weapons surrounding him, including wide receivers Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs, and Alec Pierce, as well as tight end Tyler Warren. And let’s not forget Jonathan Taylor, who has been a force in the running game, accumulating 236 rushing yards to take pressure off Jones.
Simms also highlighted how well Jones has adapted to Steichen’s system: "HE’S GOT A PLAY CALLER, HE’S GOT PROTECTION ON THE OFFENSIVE LINE, HE’S GOT, I THINK, ONE OF THE MORE UNDERRATED WEAPON GROUPS AROUND HIM IN FOOTBALL, AS FAR AS THE RECEIVER, TIGHT END, AND JONATHAN TAYLOR—AND HE’S CAPITALIZING."
Through just two games, Jones has looked like a new quarterback. The Colts’ offense, averaging 31.0 points per game and 455.5 total yards, has been one of the most efficient and potent units in the NFL. Jones has not only capitalized on his offensive weapons but has also shown the poise and leadership needed to guide this team through its early success.
Despite this promising start, it’s still early in the season, and Jones’ performance will need to remain consistent as the Colts face tougher competition. A 3-0 start, especially in Jones’ first road game against the Titans today, would solidify his newfound role as the Colts’ leader. If he continues to play at this level, the momentum behind him and the Colts will only grow, and this could be the beginning of a much-needed resurgence for the franchise.
