Matt Ellis: 2008-2009 Report Card

It's time to put the finishing touches on the 2008-2009 season for the Buffalo Sabres.  Here is a complete report card of every single player that played a significant amount of time with the Sabres this season.  Thanks to Japers Rink and Mile High Hockey for the inspiration.

Matt Ellis

#37 / Left Wing / Buffalo Sabres

Height: 6-0

Weight: 207

Born: Aug 31, 1981

Key Stat: Ellis finished the season as a plus four.  That stat does not clearly show how good he was in the defensive zone.  Ellis led the team with only 1.32 goals allowed for every 60 minutes he was on the ice.  Despite not being an offensive player is +0.66/60 minutes was behind only Chris Butler and Tim Connolly.

Interesting Stats:  Ellis had scored only three goals in his NHL career, a total of 70 games, before this season.  This season he more than doubled that total with seven goals scored in 45 games.

Fun Fact:  Ellis scored seven goals this season to increase his career total to 10.  Despite having scored only 10 career goals he managed to score in back-to-back games twice this season.  He netted a pair of goals on January 3 against the Bruins and followed that up with a goal in the Sabres next game against the Ottawa Senators.  The second time he managed that feat came in the final two games of the season.

Line Combos:  (Limited to 5 due to limited space)

1. Adam Mair - Daniel Paille (147 shifts - 0 points)
2. Patrick Kaleta - Andrew Peters (123 shifts - 0 points)
3. Patrick Kaleta - Daniel Paille (95 shifts - 1 point)
4. Paul Gaustad - Jason Pominville (93 shifts - 3 points)
5. Patrick Kaleta - Adam Mair (92 shifts - 0 points)

Report:  Ellis was picked up on waivers as an insurance policy for the Buffalo Sabres.  By the second half of the season he had played his way into the lineup as a regular.

He seems to be an ideal checking line forward.  He puts up some points and he is responsible in his own end.  It's difficult to gauge just how good he is because he was used sparingly by the Sabres.

2008-2009 Salary:  $475,000

2009-2010 Status:  UFA

Vote:  It's time to grade Ellis for his play in the 2008-2009 season.  Every player has expectations so vote based on those expectations.  If a player played to their potential they should receive a "C" if they exceeded expectations they would receive a "B" or an "A".

Discuss:   Did Ellis do everything he was asked to do with the Sabres this season?  Would you consider bringing Ellis back next season?  Would you like to see more toughness from Ellis?

Up Next:  Paul Gaustad