Tyler Ennis inks five-year, $23 million extension with Sabres
On Thursday morning, the Buffalo Sabres confirmed what NHL Network's Kevin Weekes Tweeted out Wednesday afternoon: a multi-year contract extension for forward Tyler Ennis.
Confirmed by the Buffalo News, it's a five-year pact worth $23 million for Ennis, who was a restricted free agent, and a raise from the just over $2.8 million AAV he earned during his two-year bridge deal.
From the Sabres:
In 2013-14, Ennis led the Sabres with a career-high 21 goals and ranked second on the team in total points, with 43 (21+23) in 80 games played. Ennis recorded his first 20-goal season in 2010-11, when he tallied a career-high 49 points (20+29) in 82 games.
Ennis is now the Sabres' second-highest paid forward, behind Matt Moulson; and along with Cody Hodgson, the three are locked up until the end of the 2017-18 season.
After talk about the Sabres potentially having an issue reaching the salary cap floor after they bought out Christian Ehrhoff, general manager Tim Murray has invested in his club, putting the team, at least on paper, on a road away from the Connor McDavid sweepstakes.
This off-season Murray has signed Matt Moulson and Brian Gionta to multi-year deals and added Andrej Meszaros to the blue-line on a one-year contract. Factor in re-signing one of his RFAs (Ennis) and the Sabres have the look of a hockey team that will feel like a competitive one next season and not one whose sole hopes are of tanking for the no. 1 pick.
- - - - - - -
Sean Leahy is the associate editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Sean_Leahy
