Buffalo Sabres: 5 Reasons Why Rookie Luke Adam Holds the Key to Team's Success

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While players like Ryan Miller, Thomas Vanek and Derek Roy may get most of the publicity, they may not be the ones who are the catalysts to get the Buffalo Sabres to the next level.

That particular reasonable actually lies in the hands of a rookie. By season's end, fans and hockey analysts could be touting Luke Adam as the biggest difference maker for the Blue and Gold. 

In the young 2011-2012 campaign, we have already seen quite a few signs that he may be exactly what the team needs to get over the first-round playoff hump.

Here are five reasons why Adam is set to be the key to the Sabres' success this year.

He Fills the Void at the Center Position

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Remember during the offseason when many fans hoped and believed the Sabres would go after a top-line center?

That is the one item Buffalo didn't cross off of their checklist in a very aggressive offseason. Instead, they signed Ville Leino, hoping that he could convert to center and fill the void at the position.

Then came along Luke Adam. His performance in the preseason, along with an injury to Jochen Hecht, landed him a spot on the opening day roster.

He stepped right into the role and hasn't looked back since. The Sabres have seemed to upgrade at center—many fans just didn't expect it to come from within the organization.

He's a Skilled Center with Size

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Luke Adam's presence in the lineup also adds another dimension to the Sabres' core of forwards. With Adam, they finally have a talented center who also possesses size.

For those fans who think Paul Gaustad is that guy, sorry—Gaustad is great on faceoffs and is one of the hardest working players, but he's simple not a skilled forward.

He's Developed Chemistry with Thomas Vanek and Jason Pominville

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The Thomas Vanek-Jason Pominville-Luke Adam line has easily been the best on the Sabres and has even been one of the better lines in the NHL thus far.

It seems the trio has developed a natural chemistry with one another. Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff gave Adam a great opportunity by putting him on the top line with two of Buffalo's better forwards, and Adam has made the best of it.

Ruff has also been known to tinker with lines a lot. Hopefully, he'll keep these guys together for as long as possible, barring a rash of injuries. 

He Strengthens the Lineup by Creating Depth

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With Luke Adam playing on the first line, it creates a trickle down effect with the rest of the lineup. Derek Roy now becomes a very good second-line center, Ville Leino plays on the third and Paul Gaustad on the fourth.

Now the team has depth throughout all four lines and gives Ruff the luxury of rolling each one of them throughout the game.

He Forces the Rest of the Forwards to Work Hard

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Because of Adam's presence in the lineup, one of the regular forwards will be watching the games from the press box once everyone is healthy.

This forces each player to work even harder to ensure they are one of the 18 dressed skaters. Adam is proof that no one's position is safe in this organization, with plenty of up-and-coming players nipping at their heels. After Adam are guys like Marcus Foligno and Zach Kassian waiting for their chances.