Ottawa Senators bring in another former Leaf in Tyler Ennis
By James Reeve
The Ottawa Senators have announced the signing of free agent forward Tyler Ennis, who most recently played for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Once again the Ottawa Senators have opted to pick up a player from their bitter rivals in Southern Ontario, thanks in large part due to new coach D.J. Smith.
Ennis, a first-round pick of the Buffalo Sabres back in 2008, has signed with the Senators for just one season at a cost of $800,000.
The 29-year-old’s career was heavily derailed by injuries after posting three 20-goal seasons with the Sabres.
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After a stint with the Minnesota Wild, Ennis looked to be getting things back on track with the Leafs and even saw playing time alongside Auston Matthews.
But once again injuries shortened his season, with the Edmonton, Alberta native only making 51 regular season appearances – registering 12 goals and a further six assists.
Ennis also added a further two assists in five playoff games he featured in during Toronto’s first-round series loss to the Boston Bruins.
Ennis managed this while only averaging 9:56 on the ice for the offence-heavy Leafs, starting in the offensive zone just 35% of the time.
With the Senators, Ennis could be utilised more as a third line option and be placed in situations that could help him regain his offensive touch.
12 goals with the Leafs is an impressive turnaround considering how he was used and the low-cost contract sees the Senators add a very low-cost, high-reward type of player to their roster.
Ennis has plenty of speed in his skating, which will be an asset, and can provide the Ottawa Senators with a player determined to claim a larger role.
The 5-foot-9 winger has represented Canada with great success during the 2015 IIHF World Championships and the 2009 World Junior Championships – with the latter being played at the Senators’ Canadian Tire Centre.
Next. Senators sign veteran defenceman Ron Hainsey. dark
What do you think of this latest addition? Are you concerned with how many players are being brought in from the Leafs? Are you pleased to see the team make moves in a year with few expectations? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!