NHL Rumors I: Ennis-Sabres All But Official … Colburne Expects To Avoid Arbitration
  • Kevin Weekes: Tyler Ennis is believed to have agreed to five-year deal with the Sabres in the $23 million range, a $4.6 million salary cap.
  • Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News: Multiple sources saying the Sabres have signed Ennis, but the team isn’t confirming the deal yet. A $4.6 million cap hit would put him as their 3rd highest player behind Tyler Myers ($5.5 million) and Matt Moulson ($5 million). Cody Hodgson has a $4.25 million cap hit, and there is talk that GM Tim Murray may not like the contract. Ennis eventual deal would leave the Sabres with about $11 million in cap space.
  • Jefferson Hagen of the Calgary Herald: Flames Joe Colborne has a salary arbitration hearing on August 1st, but he doesn’t expect it to get that far.

    “It’s part of the business and it’s just protecting myself financially and that way,” added the restricted free agent who made $600,000 on a one-year deal last season.

    “We’re in a situation where I really want to be here. I love being here,” said the 24-year-old, who produced 10 goals and 28 points in 80 games for the Flames in 2013-14, his first with the Flames after coming over in a trade from the Toronto Maple Leafs. “It’s my hometown, why wouldn’t I? And they want me to be here, so it’s not like some of the past arbitration cases where there’s some hostility involved.

    “It’s two sides of the deal that want to get a deal done. And usually when that happens, it gets done.

    “So I’m looking forward to when we can move on from it and start looking forward to the season. I’m really excited about the direction we’re moving and some new additions we have. It’s going to be an exciting year.”