Another former Leaf headed to Europe after failing to secure an NHL contract
When mid-September rolls around and an NHL veteran doesn't yet have an NHL contract in hand or a PTO offer on the table, their options are somewhat limited. The decision then becomes whether to sign an AHL contract, sign in Europe or hang up the skates. For 32-year-old winger Tyler Ennis, he still has plenty of hockey left to play. Unfortunately for the former Leaf, he won't be playing it in the NHL this season.
According to Sport-Express dot ru, the 2008 1st round pick has agreed to terms with Salavat Yulaev Ufa in the KHL. If that name sounds familiar, it's because it should. Former Toronto Marlie Josh Ho-Sang signed a deal with the KHL club this summer as well, and it's also the home of one of the Leafs' top prospects in Rodion Amirov.
Ennis skated in 57 games for the Ottawa Senators last season, finding the back of the net 8 times and adding 16 assists fo a total of 24 points. The diminutive forward plays a game much bigger than his 5'9, 160-pound frame might indicate. A tenacious forechecker who doesn't shy away from playing below the goal line, Ennis has no quit and is typically the type of player that teams love. His biggest issue is that he can't seem to stay healthy. Ennis has eclipsed the 70-game mark just twice in the last 6 seasons and has only done so 5 times in his 13 NHL seasons. Of course, there were a couple of COVID-shortened seasons in there, but Ennis also suited up in just 30 games during the 56-game 2020-21 campaign.
A strong year in the KHL will almost certainly line Ennis up for a return to the NHL either this spring or next season.
