NCAA: Ready to Leave the Eagles Nest

With his third straight Frozen Four appearance, Buffalo Sabres prospect and current Boston College Eagles forward Nathan Gerbe has silenced critics this season by putting up huge offensive numbers and carrying his team to the National Championship. McKeen's correspondent Kevin Hopson provides an update on Gerbe, as well as teammate Andrew Orpik, another Sabres prospect.

Nate Gerbe (Buf), F, Boston College Eagles

Gerbe has been facing adversity for years, as his small frame (5-5, 165) has always left people wondering if he can compete at the next level .. even though Gerbe plays bigger than his size, displays the will to make open-ice hits and is not afraid to take penalties, it is difficult for the naked eye to ignore his Brian Gionta-type build .. this is why he takes advantage of his speed to help quiet the cynics .. when skating around the rink, he looks like he has been shot out of a cannon .. he owns very active and swift feet and possesses an extra gear to propel himself by defenders .. his quickness makes him a threat no matter where he is on the ice, as he transitions extremely well and creates quality-scoring chances on breakaways and odd-man rushes .. Gerbe is also a gifted puckhandler .. if he is not blowing by an opponent on speed alone, he is faking them out with his nifty stick work and putting himself in the rearview mirror before they even know what passed them .. Gerbe enjoys a solid distribution game, as well as a shooter's touch, which help fill out his arsenal .. owns a quick release and possesses deadly accuracy .. also has an effective backhand, which he uses to feed teammates and even go top shelf on opposing netminders .. Gerbe does not hesitate in his decision-making either .. he knows what he is going to do and then executes .. though his list of accolades is too long to mention, he is one of the top offensive leaders in the country this season (various categories) and was a Hobey Baker finalist .. he recorded his third hat trick of the season against North Dakota in the Frozen Four semifinals and even added an assist, giving him five, four-plus point games this season .. as a result, I think he is ready to make the jump to the NHL and join a quality offensive core in Buffalo.

Andrew Orpik (Buf), F/D, Boston College Eagles

Orpik is a flexible player given his experience on the blueline, as well as on offense .. however, his duties at Boston College have been primarily at the forward position .. because he is not a natural playmaker and does not possess great strength on the puck, his transition to offense has been a slow one .. that being said, Orpik displays the ability to finish around the net, which is definitely an improving part of his game .. also, takes advantage of his bulky frame (6-3, 215), which he uses to trap opponents on the forecheck and win battles along the boards .. does not own quick feet but is still a productive skater in transition .. given his two-way play, Orpik can be an effective special team's player, helping to contribute on both the PP and PK .. obvious strengths are his size and adaptability on the ice.