A Player Per Day: No. 63: Tyler Ennis

[Kristian]

Yeah, I've got you. You have to love when people are typing up posts at the same time. Personally, I hate to get into the whole leadership thing because we don't see half of what makes these guys good or bad leaders. What I wonder though is why you wouldn't count the Drurys and Brieres of the world. Sure, their time was limited, but they hadn't really done much on the NHL level before coming here. No one questions that they were those guys, but they definitely took it further here than they did anywhere else previously in their careers. Ok, that may have been a result of something they picked up pre-Buffalo, but Ruff could have just as easily had an impact.

 

You're right, which is why I should point out that I'm basing this purely on what I see on the ice, which I guess is open to interpretation.

 

For example, I don't doubt a guy like Rivet has leadership abilities, it's just that at this point in his career he's not a very good player, so some of his upside can easily be overshadowed if he gets beat on the boards two-three times a night.

 

All in the eyes of the beholder, I guess.

[nfreeman]

I probably should've been a little more specific - When I talk about "taking his game to the next level", I don't necessarily mean in terms of numbers only, but also things like assuming a leadership role on the team.

 

IMHO, the only player who's done anything like that under Ruff, is Miller. I don't think Campbell was ever a leader either.

 

Vanek's had some great offensive seasons, but like other forwards such as Roy, Pominville and Connolly, he still appears as if he would be a lot more comfortable taking a backseat to someone like Briere or Drury.

 

Sorry for the misunderstanding.

 

A guy like Peca in 1997-1998 is a good example of what I mean in terms of taking his game to the next level. LaFontaine went down and eventually was dealt, and Peca emerged. Not as a gifted offensive threat like Patty, but as different kind of leader on the ice.

 

Yeah, I've got you. You have to love when people are typing up posts at the same time. Personally, I hate to get into the whole leadership thing because we don't see half of what makes these guys good or bad leaders. What I wonder though is why you wouldn't count the Drurys and Brieres of the world. Sure, their time was limited, but they hadn't really done much on the NHL level before coming here. No one questions that they were those guys, but they definitely took it further here than they did anywhere else previously in their careers. Ok, that may have been a result of something they picked up pre-Buffalo, but Ruff could have just as easily had an impact.

 

I agree that none of the homegrown guys has stepped up in this regard, although I can see Gaustad getting there. Certainly there is no one with the whole package like Richards or Toews on the roster. Again, though, I think this almost entirely comes from within. I don't think coaching created the fire in Toews' belly -- it's been there the whole time. I don't think there's a coach anywhere that could've started that fire in TC's belly (or Roy's or Pommer's or Vanek's).

 

I also agree with Shrader that there is no reason not to credit Lindy with developing Drury and Briere into star players. They raised their games significantly when they were here.

[Billfold100]

I agree that none of the homegrown guys has stepped up in this regard, although I can see Gaustad getting there. Certainly there is no one with the whole package like Richards or Toews on the roster. Again, though, I think this almost entirely comes from within. I don't think coaching created the fire in Toews' belly -- it's been there the whole time. I don't think there's a coach anywhere that could've started that fire in TC's belly (or Roy's or Pommer's or Vanek's).

 

I also agree with Shrader that there is no reason not to credit Lindy with developing Drury and Briere into star players. They raised their games significantly when they were here.

 

You can trace the lack of development of young players back to the early 80's. How many guys came out of Rochester between 1980 and the lock-out and became an NHL All-Star while playing in Buffalo?

 

IMO, the problem is the team has no identity. Philly for example is a physical, tough team and they always have been. Year after year, they acquire players like Pronger, Carcillo, Asham, Lapierre, Hartnell. They add to their strengths and identity. We don't have one. One year we're a small, high-paced offensive team, the next we're defensive. Last year we didn't draft a player under 6'. Identify the type of team you believe will win you a cup and go get the players that fit those roles. Otherwise, you have too many players in roles that don't suit their abilities or don't mesh with the rest of the team.