They may be even smaller than Roy and Connolly, but they don't play like it.

These guys went after hits, they weren't afraid to drive to the net, they took shots when they had the opportunity, and they contributed all over the ice.

For being thrown into a tough playoff series, I thought the effort we got out of these guys was nothing short of heroic.

No one... and I mean NO ONE... should be clamoring to trade these guys during the offseason.

I think the past two games have shown what Gerbe is capable of, who has been overshadowed and basically dismissed by many Buffalo fans because he's not quite as good as Ennis.

He has a lot to bring to the table, and he's only getting better.

Most importantly, both of these guys have the kind of raw offensive ability that breaks through the toughest of defenses.

When Briere was here, he was the type of player that you knew was going to create some kind of chance. Whenever he corralled the puck, it brought fans to the edge of their seats.

Connolly used to be that player... not anymore. Roy has never been that player.

Ennis is that player. And Gerbe isn't far behind.

The future is looking bright.

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Wheelhouse

Ennis...he's so damn fast. He was excellent for us.

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"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Hockey Night in Buffalo

That goal Gerbe had was awesome, just spun and picked that corner.

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Check out Fast Super Cars, Car Tuning, and WNY Sports

Twitter - @Ryan911T - @MotoExposure

Totally agree. These guys should and will be up full time next year.

Bulldog of course referred to them as "small and smaller" and he wants "men" to play here. Shaaadduup.

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"...they came down into the stands and asked if I knew how to do play by play. I said...No. But. I'll take a shot at it if you want".- Rick Jeanneret

I don't care how small they are, it's all about how they play... and they played freaking huge in this series.

I loved seeing Gerbe go after Chara and try to hit him, even though he's 3 feet taller.

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Check out Fast Super Cars, Car Tuning, and WNY Sports

Twitter - @Ryan911T - @MotoExposure

That's what made me post this. Schopp and bulldog are idiots.

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Wheelhouse

Ennis and Gerbe played huge in this series, like Connolly and Pominville played huge in 05-06. Lets give the new kids bloated contracts so they can be just as unproductive as everyone else!

Sry...still a bit bitter.

Im fairly certain that both of these kids will be up on the team full time next year. No doubt. They both showed dedication and hard work when they played up this year.

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LETS GO BUFFALO!

They still need to get bigger and stronger...Kennedy too. A full regular season is a grind and you have to be strong and physical enough to withstand it. Kennedy certainly struggled at times, and no doubt Ennis and Gerbe will too. They all need to hit the gym all summer long, and to learn. None of them are ready to take over as a top two center, and their size makes it likely that they are better suited to the wing. They showed some promise and skill, but a lot of players show that before burning out and becoming a Stafford or (fill in the blank).

They still need to prove themselves. I think both Kennedy and Ennis will succeed to some extent, but I doubt Gerbe becomes much more than a routine healthy scratch.

Ennis, Myers, Gerbe, and Kennedy all need to get bigger over the off season... lift weights and what not like crazy so they can be bigger, cuz one thing I noticed is that when they go along the boards with the puck they get easily knocked off of it. So if they add size they should be good.

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LETS GO BUFFALO!

I disagree with your assessment of Gerbe.

Everyone keeps discounting this guy.

Fine by me, because everyone will be eating some serious crow.

He's been successful at every level he's played at, in the playoffs and the regular season. His numbers don't lie, even in his first two NHL playoff games.

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdis ... ?pid=69846

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Wheelhouse

I think Ennis will be very productive for us, but I also have some reservations about Gerbe.
I would much rather be eating crow this time next year than saying "I told you so"!

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This time, like all times, is a very good one, if we but know what to do with it.
--Emerson

eh, i still couldnt care less if gerbe was moved. if a move was to be made that improved the team, peace out.

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You could say that about any one of the players on our roster.

If the return is right, of course. But I can't see any package deal involving Gerbe bringing in anything too spectacular for us.

And the attitude and feistiness that this kid brings to this team is more of what we need to survive the playoffs.

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Wheelhouse

Gerbe probably will not fetch a superstar player.

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just call me Brad

Twitter @BUrbanowicz13

Gerbe is actually pretty well built for his size

Ennis is awesome, and Gerbe is awesome, but I do think that Gerbe is too small for the NHL. I know he is talented and can play with heart but he can't out muscle people. If he proves me wrong, awesome.

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"Counting all the assholes in the room, I'm definitely not alone!" ~ Michael Poulsen, Volbeat, Still Standing.

I think Ennis and Gerbe both showed in this series that out muscling players on the boards isn't the only way to come up with the puck.

On multiple occasions, I saw them pinned, and get out of it in control of the puck because they were able to finesse it.

When you have the speed and slipperiness that these two have, you don't need strength.

Here's an example of why Gerbe is going to be 10 times the player Roy is.

Below, Gerbe is willing to throw a hit to force Boston to move the puck quickly, which creates the turnover. As he drifts to the slot, he intercepts the pass and blasts it home.

Embed doesn't work when you choose an exact time, so just click the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnCCrIJGahE#t=333

Long story short, and contrary to popular belief, size is not the end all be all in this league.

It's the willingness to make all the hockey plays necessary to win games.

That's something that Gerbe does, and that's why he'll be a very good NHL player.

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Wheelhouse