The Edmonton Oilers are bringing back Tyler Ennis on a one-year extension, as the team reported on Friday, a couple of hours into the NHL free agency period.
Earlier in the day, the Oilers signed Kyle Turris on a two-year deal, in the hopes that he could find a career resurgence behind Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl as the team’s top-two centers. Ennis is a bit different in that he’s consistently a player who outperforms his short-term deals and offers production on a cost-effective contract.
Ennis was rumored to potentially have suitors interested in free agency, but as more and more players became available and players started signing for lower-valued deals.
Oilers Get Value For the Money
Meanwhile, the Oilers were looking to fill out their roster with lower-cost deals since their cap space situation was quite tight and the team still needed to go out and secure a goaltender and an upgrade on the blue line.
As for what Ennis will offer with the money, he can play anywhere in the lineup and will produce with skilled players or depth ones. It’s actually likely he gets some time with newly-acquired Kyle Turris. And, if the Oilers run into injury issues, Ennis can hop up and play on the top line alongside the best player in the world.
Ennis, 31, had two goals and four points in nine regular-season games with the Oilers after being acquired from the Ottawa Senators at the 2020 trade deadline. He’s played 11 NHL seasons and scored 133 goals and 313 points in 613 career regular-season games.
Next: Kyle Turris Signs Two-Year Deal with Oilers
