Ennis ready for fresh start with Leafs
TORONTO The smallest Maple Leaf is talking about his big opportunity at training camp.
Tyler Ennis, who joined the main body of the team’s summer scrimmage Wednesday, is looking for a spot on the third or fourth line with Toronto after a sideways season with the Minnesota Wild.
The Wild bought out the last year of his contract after a 2017 trade with the Buffalo Sabres, Ennis’ longtime employers. That freed him for the Leafs, albeit with a hefty pay cut from US$4.6 million to $650,000.
But Ennis is glad to have a new start.
“It didn’t work out,” he said of his limited ice time in Minnesota, which led to a 22-point season in 73 games. “It was a learning experience and I’m just excited for the opportunity to get going here. I just have to put in the work, be determined, be excited, be motivated.”
Ennis, who is listed at five foot nine and 161 pounds, told Postmedia’s Terry Koshan in July he had a “chip on my shoulder” about how things unfolded the last couple of years with his trade out of Buffalo and lack of success with Minnesota.
While the new NHL puts less restrictions on diminutive players to flourish, Ennis hinted the Wild’s preference to use a bulky lineup marginalized him.
“That was one of the things in Minnesota, they really liked heavier play,” Ennis said. “And I’m not the biggest guy, obviously, so I have to use my speed and skill.”
That could make him a popular part of the Leafs. Ennis reached 20 goals three times with Buffalo.
“If I was playing against Toronto, they are a very fun team to just watch,” the Edmonton native said. “They ’re a talented team and I’m very happy to be a part of that because I feel it fits my skill set.”
A first-round pick by Buffalo, Ennis also finds it ironic to be on the other side of the Peace Bridge rivalry.
“That’s what stands out to me, how many Leaf fans were always there,” Ennis said. “Not just in Buffalo, but it seems you pay attention to anything in hockey and there are Leaf fans everywhere. That’s pretty special and pretty special to be a part of that.”
Ennis is leaving it to coach Mike Babcock as to where he fits in best: his preferred spot on left wing, at centre or the right side.
“The message was just work hard, compete and there’ll be an opportunity,” he said.
Also making his first appearance Wednesday was winger Kasperi Kapanen. The Finn believes his long wait to have a shot at regular playing time might end after the Leafs lost or traded veteran forwards during the summer.
“It’s not always easy to be patient,” Kapanen said after a summer of training at home with his father Sami’s Finnish club team Kalpa.
“Everybody wants to play in the NHL, everybody wants to succeed and get better. But I think I’ve been patient and it’s starting to pay off.”