2010-2011 Player Outlook: Matt Ellis

by Zachary Zielonka on Sep 9, 2010 10:00 AM EDT

With the season starting a month from now, we start taking a look at the players on the roster and what they will end up doing this season. The series started with Tim Connolly a few weeks ago and we continue with Matt Ellis.

A few weeks ago, Matt Ellis still wasn't on this roster and was still looking for a team that was interested. Now, Ellis has a two-way contract that will see him competing for a spot on the roster. With the emergence of players like Tyler Ennis and Nathan Gerbe, Ellis will most likely be affected by a roster squeeze and will be a veteran presence in Portland. If players are injured or if Ellis really impresses in camp, you could see someone else heading up the Thruway though.

Ellis isn't a forward that is going to put a ton of points on the board but he is going to be a player that will always give the team his full effort and be able to contribute a handful of goals. A typical fourth-line grinder, Ellis is usually facing off against the other team's fourth line which his team lowest quality of competition accounts for.

Matt Ellis

#37 / Left Wing / Buffalo Sabres

Height: 6-0

Weight: 212

Born: Aug 31, 1981

Three Year Stats

Year	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	S	S%
09-10	72	3	10	13	-1	12	0	0	1	112	2.7
08-09	45	7	5	12	4	12	0	0	2	73	9.6
07-08	54	3	5	8	3	26	0	0	1	66	4.5
3-year avg.	57	4	7	11	2	13	0	0	1	84	4.7

Again, Ellis isn't the player that is going to light the lamp in every game, but he is going to contribute. While the game-winning goal stat is relatively flawed, it is interesting to see that Ellis has at least one in the past three seasons.

2010-2011 Outlook

Year	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG
2010-2011 Projected Stats	20	2	4	6	0	8	0	0

Due to Ellis' two way contract and the likelihood that he will start the season in Portland, it makes sense that Ellis will only see a handful of games this season. Ellis will see the lineup if someone gets injured or someone really starts to struggle but the Sabres are looking to keep only 12 forwards in the lineup.

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Comments

Anyone else watch the TB game last night?

I found myself yelling at the screen when Kaleta and Ellis had a 2 on 2 and offisides…

Where else would you rather be?

by bflo on Sep 9, 2010 10:55 AM EDT reply actions

It was in the first period… but it was great to see hockey again.

Where else would you rather be?

by bflo on Sep 9, 2010 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions

hell ya it was brother! I’m watching Lost on netflix and am totally hooked on it, but watched the game instead. Totally glad that I did.

"Just when I think you couldn't possibly be any dumber....you go and do something like this....and totally redeem yourself!"

by higs59569 on Sep 9, 2010 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Ellis is a good honest player and the Sabres management is wise to keep him in the organization. Additionally, unlike Kennedy, he was willing and wise to accept a two-way contract.

by Geolover on Sep 9, 2010 3:07 PM EDT reply actions

I know Matt Ellis is just a fail safe and that he works really hard but he sucks. This is not the A for effort league this is the most talented league. If your gonna be an effort guy than you gotta hit and/or fight. Matt does neither. Any scrub from the minors can do what he does. Try hard. I’d rather see a guy with more upside on that roster spot than watch Ellis try hard and get laid out.

time to ring that championship bell

by 4honors on Sep 9, 2010 3:14 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Much Ado about Nothing

Zachary is right. If the season goes well, we will see very little of Matt Ellis. If we are still debating the merits of Ellis come February, then the flushing sound you heard will have been the Sabre’s playoff chances.

by BobDH on Sep 9, 2010 3:50 PM EDT reply actions

Come on people, it’s the Sabres we’re talking about. We gotta pay attention to the little deals because that’s all we got. I think Ellis is a competent guy, and I am not afraid of something bad happening when he’s on the ice. He is a step up from Mair in my opinion. At least he doesn’t take dumb penalties all the time.

by Zack Holiskey on Sep 9, 2010 7:30 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs

Agreed and rec’d times 1000.

by Andy Boron on Sep 9, 2010 8:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Good pickup

i think having him will keep alot of the players on their toes, since ellis has shown us that he can play at an nhl level, he is going to be working hard to get some time up with the sabres. so when someone isnt performing at their best, we have ellis to fill in. i know statistically he isnt the greatest. but he seems to put it all out there every shift, he sometimes makes the fourth line look better then the first line. i like him, i think he will keep alot of players true to their character.

by manic hispanic on Sep 9, 2010 9:26 PM EDT reply actions

If only Mancari, and a few former Sabres, had Matt Ellis’ work ethic.

"The three important elements of hockey are: forecheck, backcheck and paycheck." - Gil Perreault

by FloridaBuffalo on Sep 10, 2010 7:44 AM EDT reply actions

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2Iw08ymdKU

by byahnuts on Sep 11, 2010 12:46 AM EDT reply actions

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2010-2011 Player Outlook: Matt Ellis