Confirmed with Link: Tyler Ennis signs extension (5 years / $23M)

[Jame]

He actually didn't use the phrase "#1 center" at all.

Oh please

 

[joshjull]

Oh please

Oh the irony.

 

[dotcommunism]

Here's something I don't think I've seen mentioned: with Ennis signed to a 5 year contract, Ennis, Hodgson and Myers (as well as Moulson) all have their contracts expire the same off-season. I will leave what conclusions there are to be drawn from this to those who wish to draw such conclusions.

Also becoming first eligible for unrestricted free agency after the 2018-2019 season (when those guys' contracts expire) are Foligno and Pysyk

 

[DazedandConfused]

The thread on the trade board............ wouldn't know where to begin. If your trying to sell a clue, that'd be a good spot to make a quick buck.

 

[Der Jaeger]

Here's something I don't think I've seen mentioned: with Ennis signed to a 5 year contract, Ennis, Hodgson and Myers (as well as Moulson) all have their contracts expire the same off-season. I will leave what conclusions there are to be drawn from this to those who wish to draw such conclusions.

Also becoming first eligible for unrestricted free agency after the 2018-2019 season (when those guys' contracts expire) are Foligno and Pysyk

Thinking the same thing. Possible roster transition point?

 

[Push Dr Tracksuit]

Thinking the same thing. Possible roster transition point?

Murray also removed the Ehrhoff risk that would have kicked in at the same point. I think there might be some smoke that he thinks 2018-19 will be the start of cup contention and wants to have his roster cleaning itself out by that time.

 

[buffalowing88]

I like the deal. Ennis is gonna be a great 2nd liner when the rebuild is complete. Not sure why he and Hodgson have to be either/or though. Theyre both worthy of respect for being our only competent full time forwards last year.

 

[Superhero]

The Sabres overpaid Ennis. It's like they made a bad contract to Hodson and feel a need to pay Ennis more because Ennis may be the better player. Now Hodson and Ennis both have bad contracts.

 

[Paxon]

The Sabres overpaid Ennis. It's like they made a bad contract to Hodson and feel a need to pay Ennis more because Ennis may be the better player. Now Hodson and Ennis both have bad contracts.

How do you feel about Moulson's contract?

 

[UnleashRasmus]

I think its about right considering the league wide parameter. His tier was around 4M, from sources it seems that its front loaded with 7M upfront. So its fine. It's a very tradeable contract in my opinion.

 

[TehDoak]

The Sabres overpaid Ennis. It's like they made a bad contract to Hodson and feel a need to pay Ennis more because Ennis may be the better player. Now Hodson and Ennis both have bad contracts.

Can you offer up some comparable players in similar situations who are on better contracts?

Voracek:

http://capgeek.com/player/589
Went into the 2012-13 season with a career high of 50 pts
Signed a 4 year, 17 million dollar deal

Brian Little:

Signed a 5 year, 23.5 million deal
http://capgeek.com/player/589

Career high of 51 pts before the contract.

The contract seems right in the ball park.

 

[26CornerBlitz]

TAKING FLIGHT

Tyler Ennis believes the best is still yet to come in his NHL career

Although he set a career-high with 21 goals this past season, Tyler Ennis sees lots of room to improve.

The second half of his season was noticeably better than his first. In his final 39 games of the season, he averaged 19:37 of ice time per game and racked up 28 points (13+15). That’s up from the 15 points (8+7) and 18:07 of average ice time he logged in his first 41 games.

Ennis started the year on the wing, but eventually settled in as the Buffalo Sabres’ top-line center and rekindled his chemistry with right winger Drew Stafford.

“I need to be more consistent. I’m happy that I beat my last career-high at 20 so I’m glad I got 21,†Ennis said. “But I want to get 30. I want to get 40. You want to set high goals, so I’m going to set high goals for myself.â€

 

[Der Jaeger]

Murray also removed the Ehrhoff risk that would have kicked in at the same point. I think there might be some smoke that he thinks 2018-19 will be the start of cup contention and wants to have his roster cleaning itself out by that time.

Or at least wants the option of cleaning it up a bit. I don't think all the projected prospects will make it, and I think Murray wants the flexibility to make decisions on the future roster at that point.

Smart move by Murray if this is true. He can then either go forward with Hodgson, Ennis, Myers, etc. if they continue to develop and enough prospects don't develop. Or he can move them at the trade deadline and create roster space.

 

[wyldthing89]

Can you offer up some comparable players in similar situations who are on better contracts?

Voracek:

http://capgeek.com/player/589
Went into the 2012-13 season with a career high of 50 pts
Signed a 4 year, 17 million dollar deal

Brian Little:

Signed a 5 year, 23.5 million deal
http://capgeek.com/player/589

Career high of 51 pts before the contract.

The contract seems right in the ball park.

I think the deal is perfect for me, Ennis as great skills and shows great chemistry with Stafford and Foligno, lets hope they will found their magic together !!!

 

[Jame]

I dont think that's clear at all
At the end of the year, it was the Zemgus/Hodgson line getting equal or bigger minutes/shifts...

or we could accept that using the term #1 anything right now is pointless, and only serves cheerleading.

Not sure where you're getting that, seeing as Ennis averages the most TOI/60 and had more ice-time at the end of the season than Hodgson or Girgensons.

Only difference is Hodgson inexplicably gets penalty kill time.

http://www.extraskater.com/players/dashboard?players=1155,393,405&sort=toi

i got it from watching the end of the year... and not an average of the entire season

 

[VanekFanatic26]

i got it from watching the end of the year... and not an average of the entire season

Still not sure what game you're watching. Out of the last 9 games, Ennis averaged the most ice time (combined situations). He averaged the most even strength and powerplay time. Girgensons had him in shorthanded time, which Ennis doesn't do, so that makes some sense.

Here's the Breakdown. Stats can be read Total TOI (EVTOI-PPTOI-SHTOI)

Ennis                         Hodgson                  Girgensons
19.6 (17.7-1.9-0)       18.4 (16.1-2.2-0)     20.2 (16.2-1.8-2.3)
19.6 (15.7-2.9-1.0)    22.0 (18.5-2.9-.6)    23.0 (18.8-1.9-2.3)
18.2 (14.8-2.2-0)       17.7 (14.2-2.2-.1)    20 (16-1.5-2.5)
17.6 (14.2-2.9-0        12.8 (8.7-3.1-0)       18.2 (11.8-1.0-4.4)
19.5 (11.6-7.5-0        19.6 (9.7-8.6-1.3)    15.4 (10.4-1.5-3.4)
20.6 (17.9-1.8-0)       17.7 (14.2-1.9-.6)    16.1 (14.0-.3-.9)
20.8 (17.7-2.1-0)       20.1 (16.3-2.0-.9)    20.7 (17.8-0-1.9)
23.4 (19.5-3.6-0)       20.3 (16.4-3.3-.6)    19.8 (16.9-1.6-1.4)
21.0 (16.8-3.2-.1)      17.3 (13.6-3.2-.5)    15.1 (12.6-0-2.5)

AVERAGES
20.03 (16.2-3.1-.1)    18.4 (14.2-3.3-.5)    18.7 (14.9-1.1-2.4)

So, again, from the stats and what I watched at the end of the year, Ennis had the most. I think that's a fair way to look at it, no?

Edit: I guess if you to call the last two games "end of the year", you win. But most of these games had Ennis with the fair share of even strength time over the other two. His line was definitely the most relied upon forward line, that's for sure.

 

[Jame]

Still not sure what game you're watching. Out of the last 9 games, Ennis averaged the most ice time (combined situations). He averaged the most even strength and powerplay time. Girgensons had him in shorthanded time, which Ennis doesn't do, so that makes some sense.

Here's the Breakdown. Stats can be read Total TOI (EVTOI-PPTOI-SHTOI)

Ennis                         Hodgson                  Girgensons
19.6 (17.7-1.9-0)       18.4 (16.1-2.2-0)     20.2 (16.2-1.8-2.3)
19.6 (15.7-2.9-1.0)    22.0 (18.5-2.9-.6)    23.0 (18.8-1.9-2.3)
18.2 (14.8-2.2-0)       17.7 (14.2-2.2-.1)    20 (16-1.5-2.5)
17.6 (14.2-2.9-0        12.8 (8.7-3.1-0)       18.2 (11.8-1.0-4.4)
19.5 (11.6-7.5-0        19.6 (9.7-8.6-1.3)    15.4 (10.4-1.5-3.4)
20.6 (17.9-1.8-0)       17.7 (14.2-1.9-.6)    16.1 (14.0-.3-.9)
20.8 (17.7-2.1-0)       20.1 (16.3-2.0-.9)    20.7 (17.8-0-1.9)
23.4 (19.5-3.6-0)       20.3 (16.4-3.3-.6)    19.8 (16.9-1.6-1.4)
21.0 (16.8-3.2-.1)      17.3 (13.6-3.2-.5)    15.1 (12.6-0-2.5)

AVERAGES
20.03 (16.2-3.1-.1)    18.4 (14.2-3.3-.5)    18.7 (14.9-1.1-2.4)

So, again, from the stats and what I watched at the end of the year, Ennis had the most. I think that's a fair way to look at it, no?

Edit: I guess if you to call the last two games "end of the year", you win. But most of these games had Ennis with the fair share of even strength time over the other two. His line was definitely the most relied upon forward line, that's for sure.

Yea, the last 4
Thanks for verifying

 

[VanekFanatic26]

Yea, the last 4
Thanks for verifying

The last 4 they alternated even strength time, so OK.

 

[stokes84]

Murray used the term, no. 1 center, in his press conference, in describing what he was and what he will be this year. Will he be one down the road? Probably not. But I think we can but that debate to rest.

 

[VanekFanatic26]

Murray used the term, no. 1 center, in his press conference, in describing what he was and what he will be this year. Will he be one down the road? Probably not. But I think we can but that debate to rest.

Why do that when we can argue statistical evidence based on 4 games?

 

[joshjull]

Couple of comments about Ennis from Murray today


* He did well on a bad team scoring 21 goals. Hopefully with better players around him he can do even better

* He was the #1 center last year getting the tough match ups and may be that again next year.

* Will he be the #1 center or #2 LW down the road when we are competitive? Don't know and its something that was discussed with his agent during contract talks.

* that the contract was going to be either long term or a 1 year QO. Both sides were on the same page though in terms of long term.

* knows about his slow start

* felt Enis had a good year individually and should do better with better players.


The general tone was Murray sees Ennis as fitting in as part of the picture down the road. He's just not certain where that will be (center or wing, 1st line, second line, etc).

 

[VanekFanatic26]

Couple of comments about Ennis from Murray today


* He did well on a bad team scoring 21 goals. Hopefully with better players around him he can do even better

* He was the #1 center last year getting the tough match ups and may be that again next year.

* Will he be the #1 center or #2 LW down the road when we are competitive? Don't know and its something that was discussed with his agent during contract talks.


The general tone was Murray sees Ennis as part of the picture down the road. He's just not certain where that will be (center or wing, 1st line, second line, etc).

He was definitely a driving force of resurgence in the second half the season. I'd just like to see him do it consistently across an entire season. We know he can skate real well and he's only 24. With that in his arsenal, he can only get better.

 

[Jame]

"May be"