Back on March 10, the stock of Tyler Ennis shot through the roof.
Reading Enni's stats today are decieving as he potted 15 goals and added 19 assists in 48 games. The real story isn't how he started the season. Its how he ended the season, and in so doing, ignited not only his own game, but that of his linies, too.
Dateline: Ottawa.
Lindy Ruff correctly trusted his gut, and created a line comprised of size, skill, and brawn. Ennis would be flanked by Drew Stafford and Marcus Foligno. The rest, as they say, is history.
Ennis scored a goal that night. It was only his eight of the season. Two ankle injuries seriously handicapped the water-bug and relegated him to the press box for most of the season. hen was able to play, he was a shell of his former self, running up and down the left wing wall, looking for a place to happen. The injuries caused Ennis to miss 34 games of the season. Ruff and the coaches had Ennis penciled in as a 20+ goal scorer for the 11/12 season, and when his production lagged, so did that of the entire team.
On that March night in Ottawa, Ennis' luck would change forever. when the team re-called the burly Marcus Foligno to play with Ennis and Stafford.
What happened next was nothing short of astonishing.
From that point forward, Ennis re-defined his true value to his team. He wasn't a second or third line left winger anymore. He became the team's top line centre, a role that he had thrived in at AHL Portland and in juniors at Medicine Hat. Ennis would goal on a torrid scoring streak and accumulate 8 goals and 11 assists in his last 14 games of the season. He was a +8 in that stretch of games.
Foligno would wow the hockey world with his dramatic coming out party by scoring, scoring 6 goals and adding 7 assists in 14 games. He played +8 hockey.
Stafford got his groove back while playing alongside Ennis and Big Marcus and the result was 7 goals, 9 assists and a +9.
The 21-63-82 line created 48 points and was +25 in its final 14 games.
Imagine if the line had played 30 or 40 games together. Scary production.
Which brings me to my point that Ennis has proven himself the straw that stirs the drink on his line. he makes his line mates better by making sm art playes with his hands and faster feet. he sees the whole 200 by 85, and he's proven his worth as a reliable NHL centreman.
He's RFA on July 1. The Sabres are going to re-sign him. They'd be crazy not to. Big things come in small packages.
The question now is, at what price point do the Sabres re-sign their star centre?
Ennis has earned $875,000 for the past three seasons of his entry level contract.
He's sure to get a nice bump in pay.
Chris Stewart of the Blues signed a one year $3 million deal on Thursday.
Jim Slater of the Jets signed for three years at an average cap hit of $1.6 million.
The Bruins just re-signed Gregory Campbell to a three year deal with a $1.6 million cap hit.
There's no way that the Sabres sign Ennis to the stupid 4 year, $4 million per season deal that they just signed David Jones to.
I see Ennis signing a 2-3 year deal for an avergae cap hit of $1.6-$2 million per season.
At age 22, Ennis has a ton of upside potential.
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Organizational depth is a unique selling proposition for the Buffalo Sabres.
The team is loaded with forward, D, and goalie prospects.
On Thursday, came news that two of their Rochester D have signed contracts to play in Europe.
Veteran Shaone Morrison will play next season for Spartak of the KHL. When Darcy Regehr imported Regehr and Ehrhoff last Summer, the GM opted to bury Morrison and his $2+ million contract in the AHL.
Dennis Persson, has signed a two year contract to play for Brynas IF of the Swedish Elite League. Persson was the 24th overall selection in the 2006 NHL Draft.
D prospects like McNabb, Brennan, Pysyk, Biega, and Mackenzie have rendered Persson and Mojo Risin obsolete.
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