Flyers Head Coach John Tortorella wants Ryan Ellis around the team, even though he is expected to miss the entire season and his injury may be career threatening

Photo Credit: Ricky Brown

A steady Right-Handed Defenseman in Ryan Ellis, who stands at 5’10 and weighs 180 pounds was a top pairing veteran Defenseman with Ivan Provorov, when healthy. That’s just it when healthy, as Ellis has only suited up for the Flyers in four games for the Flyers this past season, and unfortunately he appears out for the remainder of the season as expected.

“I do not expect him to play this season, and if he plays it’s a bonus.” – Chuck Fletcher

To me this is concerning, Ellis missed all of last season with a hip/pelvis injury, but quickly corrected himself by saying it was a lower body injury, just sad news.

Chuck Fletcher says that Ryan Ellis’s injury could be career threatening. Really feel for Ryan Ellis, man that’s tough news. Sad news Regardless, he’s a human being.

As I have stated throughout the Summer surgery is not an option for Ryan Ellis at the moment:

“There’s a psoas component, there’s a hip component, there’s an adductor component, so I’m not sure if you go in and repair one part it’s going to fix everything.” – Chuck Fletcher

This Ellis situation is a weird one. From day to day, week to week, to missing the entire season, all without knowing exactly what his injury was until now.

It’s a shame, Ellis is a very good defender, and would help the Flyers immensely. However, he cannot help the team if he doesn’t play, and that’s just it there is no timeline for his return.

The Flyers cannot move one of Ivan Provorov or Travis Sanheim with uncertainty surrounding Ellis. That wouldn’t be wise for this organization, to which some moves haven’t made sense as of late, but maybe this is why the Flyers re-signed Rasmus Ristolainen.

Ellis will stick up for his teammates, and also possesses good offensive instincts and great mobility. He can move the puck quickly out of danger, and owns a powerful point shot.

This 30-year-old Defenseman in Ellis is great with gap control. He suffocates his opponents, and has no problem transitioning from the defensive zone. Gone are the days the Flyers have trouble with getting out of their own end with him on the ice. Ellis is a great compliment to the young Ivan Provorov, as well, unfortunately Ellis may not suit up again.

Tortorella wants Ellis to be around the team. He says it’s important to keep injured players around the team, so they don’t feel ostracized. In addition, Ellis could give pointers here and there, and feel somewhat included with the team.