Photo Credit: Our very own Ricky Brown
When Ryan Ellis was acquired by Flyers’ General Manager Chuck Fletcher. He knew he was receiving a player that was a leader with the Nashville Predators, as he wore an “A” in the same token. However, what is kind of surprising is, Ellis in just a short period of time has emerged as a leader inside the Flyers locker room already, “I see him spending a lot of time with Provy off the ice, talking to one another,” Alain Vigneault said earlier in the season. “On the ice, he’s always looking to help steer the right way. His teammates have had some real good conversations with him since he’s been here and since I’ve been here. Everything that he was promised to be, it’s exactly what I’ve seen so far. He’s going to be a real big addition to our team.”
A steady Right-Handed Defenseman in Ellis, who stands at 5’10 and weighs 180 pounds is 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 there games, and will miss his fifth straight game tomorrow night against the 0-8-1 Shayne Gostisbehere and the Arizona Coyotes.
Flyers Head Coach Alain Vigneault confirmed Ellis will not play tomorrow. Vigneault confirms that the injury Ellis is going through is the same injury from the end of the pre-season. This Ellis situation is a weird one. From day to day, now week to week apparently as he will miss tomorrow’s game. All I know it’s a lower body injury.
Ellis is a very good defender, and he will stick up for his teammates. He has good offensive instincts and great mobility. Ellis can move the puck quickly out of danger, and owns a powerful point shot.
“He (Ryan Ellis) has a lot of those same qualities as Niskanen as far as that steadying presence. No moment seems to be too big for him. He comes in, goes about his business and is super effective with how he approaches and plays the game. He is a super-efficient player. I think he is going to be a big part of what we are doing and are happy to have him.”– James van Riemsdyk
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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 he can provide tutelage and mentor Provorov. Ellis was an assistant captain for a reason with the Predators, “We feel a guy like Ryan will also aid in the development of some of our young players that we have here too,” Fletcher said after obtaining Ellis. “We want to win more games, and we want our young players to be put in the best position to succeed. Ryan, again, checks a lot of boxes for this organization, and we paid a price to get him.”
Fletcher paid Nolan Patrick and Philippe Myers for the services of Ellis. Ellis has five years remaining after this one, with a cap hit if $6.25 million. Durability is worrisome from a fan base that knows they need a to pairing defender to pair with Ivan Provorov. Justin Braun has filled in admirably without the services of Ellis, but then again he’s not Ellis. The fan base has every right to be nervous about the next five years with the durability of Ellis.
He was hurt last year, and nagging injuries have been a detriment to how good of a Defenseman he really is, but when healthy he’s a handful or a pest to deal with. He’s excellent with clearing the crease, and that’s an area that the Flyers need help in. Ellis provides experience for a young backend that the Flyers currently have (Average age 27.5 last season). Ellis registered five goals, and 13 assists in 35 games played, as he missed 4-6 weeks with an upper body injury.
The former Nashville product sustained multiple concussions in early 2020 before the season was halted due to the coronavirus. One of the concussions he sustained was due to an elbow by Corey Perry in the outdoor game. However, he bounced back and played well for the Predators.
All in all, let’s hope Ellis returns soon, and can be the force that most know Ellis is. The Flyers are far better with him in the lineup that much is certain.
