So while success has come early - and often - for the young forward, the Buffalo Sabres want him to know that he can’t take it for granted. And while scoring nine points in 10 regular season games earns praise, earning a roster spot is an entirely different obstacle.

“We do have a policy of you have to earn it before you get it,” said General Manager Darcy Regier. “We do not have a policy of here you go, we think you can do it… Psychologically for kids to come into this organization, it’s very necessary for them to earn their way.

Because if they don’t earn it, and stumble, it will quickly be taken away.

Because if they don’t earn it, and stumble, it will quickly be taken away.

Torres won't be back either way so I'm not sure where he falls into this conversation. But, I didn't take this article the same way you did. Just more or less as a stern warning to keep up the hard work, dont get lazy, and probably just the team telling him not to fall into the Stafford, MacArthur, Paille rut and just assume because you are young, talented and were taken with a relatively high draft pick, you are not entitled to time on this team. I hope it's management telling him "If you don't play with the same shabby effort 90% of this team, you will be back"

But on the other hand, do they really wanna use scared straight tactics on their newest and brightest offensive weapon?

I'm sure everybody surrounding Ennis was telling how great he did, especially fellow minor-leaguers and family. I'll bet many were telling him he's definitely gonna be on the team come October. Let's face it: He did better than ANYBODY ELSE on the Sabres' roster in the Boston series.

He likely marched into that Darcy meeting feeling pretty good, confident that he was going to hear a glowing review of hie performance.

REALITY: Nothing is more deflating to a performer, whether it be an actor, singer, athlete, etc. than to have all that swirling in your head, ego on max volume---and then a guy who is KEY to your future, in this case Darcy, lets the air right out of your balloon.

I do understand where Darcy is coming from, but Ennis probably had that sick feeling in the pit of his stomach walking out of there, thinking "what the f#$k do I have to do?"

Wish I could hear his inner most thoughts as he assesses his own performance vs. that of the "veterans". Now THAT would be entertaining!

It would have been awesome if he said "Keep doing what you're doing, just don't slump."

Instead, he says "If you screw up you're going down to Portland".

Not the best thing to say about Ennis.

What Darcy REALLY should have said to Ennis was:

"Kid, you did GREAT for us in the playoffs. You showed-up every guy on the team, including the veterans. You showed the kind of energy and enthusiasm that any NHL coach would be glad to have on his roster. But it's not enough. You need to spend a few more demeaning seasons being a grunt in the minors. THEN and ONLY THEN, will you get a chance to come up and play on a regular basis with Sekera, Connolly and Stafford. And if you continue the kind of play we just saw outa you, we will eventually sign you to a VERY lucrative multiyear contract. Then, AND ONLY THEN, can you take your foot off the gas pedal and settle into the NHL equivalent of a gubment job: A Sabres top 6 forward: Great pay, great benefits and not held accountable for much in the way of peformance. Good luck kid!"