Tyler Ennis

This entry was taken from TJ's blog: Hockey Heaven, NY.  Head over to read more about the Sabres and the NHL!

Once the postseason begins, some youngsters hit a playoff wall, while others step up and play like superstars. Some players crumble under the pressure and need the entire offseason to recover their confidence. Others reach new heights and get fast tracked to stardom seemingly overnight.

Either way, the playoffs offer a unique opportunity to gain invaluable experience and accelerate development.

Every year, hundreds of predictions are made throughout the year as to which of the NHL's young blossoming rookies will be rewarded with the Calder Memorial Trophy as Rookie of the Year.  

So begins the race for who will have their name next to such greats as Bobby Orr (1967), Ray Bourque (1980), Mario Lemieux (1985), Luc Robitaille (1987), Teemu Selanne (1993), Dany Heatley (2002), Alexander Ovechkin (2006), Evgeni Malkin (2007) and most recently Tyler Myers (2010).

Unplucked Sports brings you a fresh batch of available free agents in a majority of fantasy hockey leagues. The available players are broken down into three categories: Must Have, Space Available and Watchables. Patrick Baker brings you this week's picks.

(Check out our past Unplucked Gems archives and other features by Patrick Baker at Unplucked Sports Follow us: twitter.com/unpluckedsports)

With the first week of NHL action officially in the books it's time to look back and see which youngsters are making headlines.

All throughout the NHL season I will be following the stars of tomorrow.   My criteria for these players is two years in the NHL or fewer than 160 games combined (with minor exceptions).

Many players usually take that next big step in year three and really come into their own.   Some sooner, some later, but the development of a star is fascinating to watch.

Another offseason goes by and still no Kovalchuk or Gonchar in a sabres uniform however as always there is optimism in sabreland. Here's a look at what the sabres accomplished and what they still need to accomplish this offseason and what to expect in the upcoming season

Defensive Shuffle

It's a new NHL season.

General Managers of all the teams in league have been desperately trying to improve their rosters.

Whether it's through the draft or trades or by signing free agents new players are being added to teams throughout the league.    

This is a look at the new faces that have been added to the teams of the Northeast division: Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators, Toronto Maple Leafs. 

Sigh. It's been a couple weeks, and we've all had some time to calm down and think. At this point last year, we as Buffalo Sabres fans would have been thrilled just to be in the playoffs.

Now, here we are clamoring for change after an embarrassing first-round exit to the Boston Bruins, a less-talented but far-more-deserving division rival.

With the Northeast Division crown wrapped up, the Buffalo Sabres are preparing for their march to the Stanley Cup. This playoff year may well determine the direction that the Sabres will go in the future. Management has been exceptionally patient with this core group of players since Black Sunday (when 2 certain co-captains were insult.. erm, allowed to leave). How badly do the Sabres want that 35 pounds of Silver? That will be determined by 5 players.

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