Buffalo Sabres Get Tyler Ennis Back On The Ice – Now What?

He’s back!!!!!  Kinda sort of.

The Buffalo Sabres were able to post some good news today on the morning of the team’s final home game of the 2015-16 NHL season:

Even though this is the Sabres’ final practice of the season, and even though Tyler Ennis obviously will not be playing in either of Buffalo’s final two games, Ennis’ return is encouraging, indeed.   Appreciate what Ennis himself had to say about returning to the ice:

"It felt great. I mean, I can still skate. I figured that out.  Not playing hockey is strange. And it’s the opposite: When I’m on the ice, it’s the greatest feeling."

Hearing Ennis speak about his time spent recovering from the injury, it is apparent that he is one motivated hockey player who is looking forward to getting back on the ice.:

"It gave me time to kind of reflect, appreciate what I have and give me that much more motivation and excitement for whenever I get back.  I wish we could play 82 more games."

It is still uncertain whether Ennis will play in the World Ice Hockey Championships that opens on September 16, but he’s hungry to get back to playing some competitive hockey, and that’s a good sign.

Of course, the big picture everyone Buffalo Sabres fan is probably asking is, “Where do the Sabres go from here when it comes to Tyler Ennis?”

Your guess is as good as mine!  Maybe even better, because I’m an idiot.  But I’ll play along!

If the Sabres were truly looking to trade Ennis at any point this season, they clearly won’t be doing that before the 2016 NHL Draft.  However, that does not mean that the team will have to wait until the 2016-17 season before it can put Ennis on the market.  (They probably will, but hush!)  Should Ennis be able to participate in Worlds, he will be able to prove to everyone that he is fully healed, and if he truly is as motivated as he ever has been, hopefully he’ll put up some points and make some teams take notice.

If Ennis is able to resemble the 20-goal scorer he has become during the competition, it is possible the Sabres could use him to help fill whatever gaps are in the roster following the draft and free agency.  Everyone knows that Buffalo needs a top-4 left-handed defenseman, and if the team cannot find a way to acquire such a player before Worlds, maybe a healthy, productive Ennis gets shopped around the beginning of the next season.

And maybe a big bag of money lands outside my house this weekend – but probably not.

Next: Why The Sabres' Late-Season Winning Is A Good Thing!

It feels kind of, uh, wrong, to be discussing whether or not the Sabres will trade Ennis.  After all, the guy was suffering from seizures, was not allowed to drive, and had to question whether his symptoms would ever clear up to the point where he could play the sport again.  As a fellow human being, I’m just glad the guy is okay.

Still, speculation is something we’re all guilty of, so feel free to share your thoughts on what the Buffalo Sabres should do with Ennis as the team continues to build toward becoming playoff-worthy!