Tanked season not hindering Ennis... Played his way into the "future core"?

[jBuds]

One Sabre has turned in his best all-around season

In a year that has seen such a dreadful collective showing put forth... And a year in which the end really can't come soon enough...I think it's definitely time to praise Ennis for being the one consistent thing from start to finish.

But in this miserable 2015 season, one forward has done something remarkable, given what’s around him. Something that has unfairly gone unspoken throughout the season for which I am running out of adjectives to justly depict it.

Tyler Ennis has turned in his best all-around season as a professional. He has been the one consistent and present factor for the Sabres, and has firmly played his way into the core of the Sabres’ future.

In prior years, he was about as polarizing as they come. But wouldn't even his biggest detractors commend him for the season he has put forth? The last sentence is the stickler:

In a season like this, good things are hard to come by, but should be acknowledged when present. Tyler Ennis has turned in a solid season. Is it fair to say he can’t be counted on to be the top guy? Yes. Is it fair to say he can’t be a key contributor in a top-9 role on a winning team? No way.

If he wasn't already there in your mind, has Ennis played his way into the future solution? Or is he still the last remaining piece from the old regime that we need to turn out?

Click to read more...

 

[Wisent42]

I always liked Ennis and I think he's put together a solid season. He does a lot of good things, using his speed and puck handling to open space for himself and his linemates. And most nights, I'd imagine, against the toughest defence opponents can bring. Because Ennis' line is about the only threat we've got. And still he puts up points and highlight plays.

On top of that, he also shows leadership quality because he doesn't quit on his team, he goes into the dirty areas and despite his not so terrifying size he throws some good hits. I would say his allround game has improved. We always knew he had offensive upside.

Yes, Ennis is part of the future core. With Myers out of town, he's the veteran of that core.

One thing this season has done is finally kill the Ennis vs Hodgson debate.

 

[Jame]

As a detractor, this was by far his best season.

My takeaways:
Don't ever try to put him at center again

He has a top 9 scoring role on the wing until someone bigger, stronger, and better takes it from him

 

[struckbyaparkedcar]

He's still an asset to me. I don't trust him as a first line scorer, he can't play on the checking line, and the opportunity cost of returning him to a sheltered, offensive zone role, is huge.

 

[Myllz]

It could still go either way. I doubt Murray's overly attached to him, so if a deal comes along for something that he likes involving Ennis, he'll be traded. If he ends up staying on the team, he's played well enough where he'll have a spot. It's a solid place for Murray to be in since either option is good.

 

[Jame]

He's still an asset to me. I don't trust him as a first line scorer, he can't play on the checking line, and the opportunity cost of returning him to a sheltered, offensive zone role, is huge.

Agreed

 

[Sabre Dance]

He's earned the rest of the season off. Good job.

 

[Wisent42]

He's still an asset to me. I don't trust him as a first line scorer, he can't play on the checking line, and the opportunity cost of returning him to a sheltered, offensive zone role, is huge.

Sure, you can't use him on a checking or shut down line, but don't we have plenty of Swiss army knifes to go around? I think we can afford to have a pure offensive guy on the team.

 

[Uberpecker]

He's earned the rest of the season off. Good job.

Very good. I like.

 

[Ron C.]

As a detractor, this was by far his best season.

My takeaways:
Don't ever try to put him at center again

He has a top 9 scoring role on the wing until someone bigger, stronger, and better takes it from him

I agree with this. Ennis should not ever play center, but he is a top 9 (or even top 6) talent in this rebuild. Hodgson on the other hand........

 

[struckbyaparkedcar]

Sure, you can't use him on a checking or shut down line, but don't we have plenty of Swiss army knifes to go around? I think we can afford to have a pure offensive guy on the team.

But playing him there likely tips the balance of that line from one guy in need of sheltering to two.

 

[sabrebuild]

Ideally when this team is contending he should be feasting on tge third line with grigo or Larsson or whichever young prospect turns out.

 

[Montag DP]

I think he's definitely a second line RW at least on a good team. I can see him putting up huge numbers with Reinhart and Girgensons or someone a few years down the line.

 

[TehDoak]

I like Ennis but he is by no means untouchable

 

[Snippit]

Definitely part of the core for me.

 

[Namejs]

He's the only player on this team who's consistently looked like an actual top 6 forward over the last two seasons.

I'd say there's no doubt he's a part of the future core. Even more than that, I don't really see anyone in the Sabres system who could replace him and move him down to the 3rd line in the near future.

 

[jBuds]

He's the only player on this team who's consistently looked like an actual top 6 forward over the last two seasons.

I'd say there's no doubt he's a part of the future core. Even more than that, I don't really see anyone in the Sabres system who could replace him and move him down to the 3rd line in the near future.

Devils broadcast had Nolan pegging Ennis as a "38-40g scorer if he plays with a talented center - not meant to be a slight on Larsson"...

Yep you read it right. Hope it's not too confusing.

 

[DJN21]

I think if Ennis were on a better team he'd be a household name at least in the realms of a Sharp, Kunitz etc 2nd or 3rd tier

 

[Royal Thunder]

Ennis is absolutely a part of the future top 6

 

[30Yonge]

Ennis is useful but TM should trade him if he gets good+ value.
I would keep him, hope for more EV goals as the team improves and then determine his future in summer 2017.

 

[jBuds]

Ennis is useful but TM should trade him if he gets good+ value.
I would keep him, hope for more EV goals as the team improves and then determine his future in summer 2017.

Determine his future as in another test year to see if he "earns" a spot with his play? Or gauge the trades in an inevitable deal of some form? The latter is a bit absurd

 

[BananaSquad]

People saying 3rd line shut up lol. Hes a top 6 forward no doubt about it.

 

[stokes84]

But playing him there likely tips the balance of that line from one guy in need of sheltering to two.

Jeez, you act as though he's a complete mess in his own end. Yeah, ideally, you want him playing in the offensive zone, but the idea that he NEEDS sheltering is pretty overstated.

 

[slip]

He's a useful asset, and entirely dispensable should the right trade arise.

 

[jBuds]

Jeez, you act as though he's a complete mess in his own end. Yeah, ideally, you want him playing in the offensive zone, but the idea that he NEEDS sheltering is pretty overstated.

It's a very 2011-y sentiment