Ennis scored 20-plus goals and 40-plus points in back-to-back seasons, but registered just eight goals and 16 assists (24 points) in 74 games in two injury plagued seasons over the last couple of years. The diminutive winger has the talent to be a point producer, but needs to find a way to stay on the ice.
The former Sabres’ captain had two 30-goal seasons and six straight seasons of 50-plus points when he was in Buffalo. A once consistent 30-30 threat, has failed to top 20 goals in each of the last three seasons, but heads back to Buffalo, where he will look to rediscover his goal-scoring touch in the Sabres’ top-9.
Scandella, 27, is a big physical defenseman but does not possess a lot of offensive ability outside of a big slap shot. Scandella has a career-high of just 23 points (11G / 12A) and is coming off of a year in which he had just four goals and nine assists (13 points) in 71 games. The Sabres have made a clear effort to improve their blue line, by adding Scandella and Nathan Beaulieu this offseason.
Kanzig, 22, was a third round pick in 2013 (No.67 overall) but has struggled since turning pro in 2015-16. The 6-foot-6, 245 lbs. defenseman has appeared in just nine AHL games so far and spent the majority of last season in the ECHL, where he had just five points (1G / 4A) in 40 contests.
Murphy can be classified as a bust after being selected No.12 overall in 2011, but the majority of it can be chalked up to injury issues. In his first five seasons, he has amassed just 37 points (6G / 31A) in 151 career NHL games and likely won’t get a major opportunity to play thanks to a top notch Flames’ blueline.
Lack was a key member of the Canucks in 2014 and 2015, but struggled in two years with Carolina. With the Hurricanes acquiring Scott Darling from the Blackhawks, they needed to move Lack or Cam Ward and the Flames came calling for a backup. Lack has posted a career 2.56 GAA and .911 SV% in 136 NHL games and will be the primary backup to Mike Smith in 2017-18.
Methot is a solid depth defeseman, but has limited offensive upside. In 2016-17, the 32-year-old had 12 assists in 68 games and has not topped 20 points in the last three seasons. Methot joins a Stars’ blueline that is crowded with young defensemen.
Hamonic’s name has been swirling on trade fronts for over a year, but the Islanders finally pulled the trigger on the draft floor on Saturday. Hamonic dealt with some injuries in 2016-17, but posted 14 points (3G / 11A) in the 49 games he was able to dress for. Hamonic has good size (6-foot-2/205lbs) and is a solid two-way defenseman who is both physical in his own end while possessing a big point shot at the other. The Flames are following the Predators’ model by stacking their blueline as Hamonic joins Mark Giordano, Dougie Hamilton and TJ Brodie as the Flames’ big-4.