(WGR 550) -- There are players who get called up to "the show", have a couple nice games and fans see them as a future star in the league. Whether it's Mark Mancari, Steve Bernier or some other guy, it's relatively easy to become "the next big thing" simply by having a number on your sweater fans haven't seen in a while.

This isn't the case with "Tiny" Tyler Ennis.

I have been remarkably impressed by Ennis, and it's hard not to be. With five points in five games, he's shown some real scoresheet style, but it's what he does on almost every offensive zone trip that gets me fired up for the other first-round pick from the "Tyler Myers Draft."

Ennis has a knack to cut quickly to the free area of the ice, forcing defenseman to keep a peripheral eye on the kid. At 20-years-old, he has the same excitement variable that Derek Roy had when he first came up to Buffalo, without the giveaways. Yes, he's little -- 5'9" seems generous -- but he brings a sparkplug dimension not available in spades on the club.

So, here's the thing: he has to stay up with the big club when the team regains full health. He wouldn't necessarily gain anything from being sent down to Portland, and he's a definite part of the future in Buffalo. Let him see what the stretch run looks like in a successful regular season. Let him be a part of the playoff roster, and experience the high anxiety of "win or your done."

Ennis is not a Gerbe or Mancari, guys who ultimately may not be a part of your core. This is a first-round pick who's succeeded after every level he's played. You can get a guy ready for the future while gaining something now, which isn't often the case.

Maybe he'll make the 2008 draft the "Tyler Draft."

Email: nick@wgr550.com