NHL fans are always on the lookout for the next power forward, but the fact is power forwards—in the traditional sense—don't really exist in the modern game. Veteran power forward Milan Lucic made his NHL debut less than a decade ago, but since then, these men have seen their roles change.
Power forwards are no longer given allowances for taking unnecessary penalties or costing their team by spending excess time fighting. They are expected to deliver offense, possession and assistance to help their team win hockey games—along with providing rugged play that contributes to wins.
It's a moving target, identifying the best young power forwards.