Toronto Maple Leafs: What To Expect From Tyler Ennis

As we inch closer and closer to the 2018-19 NHL season, we look at the changes the Toronto Maple Leafs have been making during the offseason.

Obviously, the big move the Toronto Maple Leafs made was the signing of John Tavares, former captain of the New York Islanders. The move was so huge that I feel it caused many people to pay less attention to the other smart moves Kyle Dubas was making.

One of these brilliant moves was signing former first-round pick and solid bottom-six forward, Tyler Ennis to a one-year contract worth $650,000. This is a steal considering just last season, he was making $4.6 million as a depth forward for the Minnesota Wild. He may have been bought out, but we can get more than we need out of him for what we’re paying him.

So what can we expect from Tyler Ennis this season? Will he fit into our system well? Let’s take a look at his career and what his potential as a Leaf may be.

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Past Season Production

Ennis was actually a very interesting pickup this off-season and looking at his past production, we might actually be able to pry some good things out of him.

Drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in 2008, Ennis put up 20 goals and 49 points in 82 games in his first full NHL season. Although he slowed down for a couple of seasons, the 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons saw Ennis consistently put up over 20 goals on some very weak Buffalo Sabres teams. It might be helpful to note that during these seasons, he actually led the Sabres in goals.

He had shown a good amount of promise early on in his career, and he definitely has the natural skill to really breakout. But what went wrong in his career?

Injury Problems

The 2015-16 season saw Ennis play in only 23 games. Battling multiple concussions and groin injuries during that season, Ennis’ play really seemed to take a hit.

After undergoing surgery and missing about 30 games, Ennis returned to complete the 2016-17 season, playing in a total of 51 games. However, his production had really taken a hit, causing him to get traded to the Minnesota Wild.

These injury problems may continue to loom over Ennis. Unless he can figure out how to overcome them, his body may be making it hard for him to become the promising NHL player he once was. Nevertheless, the Leafs did a good job signing him to such a great, one-year contract.

He’s Still Young

The good news about this signing, is that Tyler Ennis isn’t some washed up old vet who is just a rental. In fact, he is a very low risk, high reward player who can still find himself in a Leafs uniform for years to come if all goes his way and he manages to impress. If he can’t do that, then they part ways with him, no hard feelings.

At only 28 years old, Ennis can slot in on the Toronto Maple Leafs fourth line along with an offensive core who’s ages are very close to his. He has a lot of NHL experience but he still has room to grow and develop.

He is in his prime still and can breakout in many ways than one. This is excellent for the Leafs as he can still be utilized effectively.

Expectations for This Season

I fully expect Ennis to be a winger on the Toronto Maple Leafs fourth line. He will most likely play alongside Par Lindholm and Connor Brown.

Although we do not know what to expect from Lindholm as he has not made his NHL debut yet, Connor Brown is a skillful forward who is more than capable to score up to 20 goals on a season and can put up some decent assist numbers as well.

Considering his recent performances, I would be totally satisfied if Tyler Ennis can reach 10 goals this season and at least 25-30 points. He won’t get that much ice time on the fourth line, but he may be able to improve from his last three injury-ridden seasons. If he can manage to fit into the Toronto Maple Leafs system well, I would not be surprised if he can surpass these expectations as well.