Ryan Ellis: The OTF Hero Of The Week (Feb. 12-18)

by Dirk Hoag on Feb 19, 2012 10:55 AM EST in Discussions

The Human Rocket Ship blasted back from a benching in grand fashion last week, as Ryan Ellis got back in the lineup and delivered the winning goal against Chicago on Tuesday night. Against Detroit on Saturday he held his own, and ended up leading the Preds' defense in both scoring and shots on goal for the week.

Ryan Ellis

#49 / Defenseman / Nashville Predators

Height: 5-10

Weight: 179

Born: Jan 03, 1991

	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG		SOG
2011 - Ryan Ellis	2	1	1	2	+2	2	0	0	1		4

Does he benefit from Shea Weber & Ryan Suter carrying the heavier burden, both in terms of ice time and matchups? Certainly, but that puts the onus on Ellis to take advantage of the opportunities given to him, and last week, he came through. With the addition of Hal Gill on the blueline, however, the competition for ice time just got tougher. In fact, the tweets coming from today's morning skate at Dallas indicate that Ellis may get scratched again tonight:

Pairings as of now 20-6, 59-75, 51-8.
— Jim Diamond (@diamondhockey) February 19, 2012

Despite a solid effort last week, there's no time to rest on your laurels, Ryan! It's worth revisiting that winner over Chicago, though:

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Comments

RE

With our pop gun road scoring why not dress 7 d’man and use Ellis on the power play?
Double shift Smith on the 4th line and scratch Smithson.

by virgil trucks on Feb 19, 2012 11:29 AM EST reply actions

That’s a great idea. Why not play him on 4th line some.

If Radulov comes back, then none of this stuff will matter . . .

by Mike Cr on Feb 19, 2012 11:52 AM EST up reply actions

I understood scratch vs Boston ..

But why against Dallas? Somebody help me here

by HoptownPred on Feb 19, 2012 11:59 AM EST via mobile reply actions

I’m a little worried Poile may be protecting one of our assets for an upcoming trade. If it does happen, it better be for someone great and someone who’s not a rental.

by MaASPredFan on Feb 19, 2012 12:13 PM EST up reply actions

If we give up

Ellis in a package for anything other than a top scorer (see R. Nash, B. Ryan, et al), I think Poile may have lost his mind. You could pick in the back end of the first round for years and never hit on a defensemen with as much offensive upside as that kid has. Not too mention that the cupboard in Milwaukee isn’t exactly teeming with defensive talent… If we are giving up prospects, I’ll take Ekholm and Ellis as my untouchables.

by Marcus Newman on Feb 19, 2012 12:37 PM EST up reply actions

That’s how I feel. There was some talk about the Oilers wanting him (some idiots were suggesting him for Hemsky, which is beyond laughable), but I got to thinking. There’s something wrong with that team, and it’s not their high-powered forwards. They’ve got plenty of them, plus likely another top 5 draft pick coming up. Hall or Eberle for Ellis, Linback, and a prospect/first kind of a deal? It might help resolve some of their issues.

Of course, I don’t really know what their issues are, so I could be way off base.

by MaASPredFan on Feb 19, 2012 1:01 PM EST up reply actions

I think they have some major depth and defensive issues but I just can’t see them parting with a Hall/Eberle/or the hyphen kid. That’s the caliber of player that I think Ellis should get you in the ballpark of though, even if we have to sweeten the pot slightly.

by Marcus Newman on Feb 19, 2012 1:22 PM EST up reply actions

Ellis to Milwaukee?

Will the Preds send him to Milwaukee for 5-10 games to prevent him from earning a year against his nhl contract? Dirk brought this up in a post a month or so ago.

by Griz-ATL on Feb 19, 2012 12:17 PM EST reply actions

I hope not

I haven’t really bought into that because, just as a matter of common sense, that’s the kind of thing I would only factor in if I was rebuilding a roster, not contending for The Cup.

by Marcus Newman on Feb 19, 2012 12:32 PM EST up reply actions

Clarification

to prevent him from earning a year against his nhl contract?

This year counts against his contract. What I discussed was hitting the 40-game mark, which counts as an Accrued Season towards earning Unrestricted Free Agency years down the road.

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by Dirk Hoag on Feb 19, 2012 1:30 PM EST up reply actions

Strange...

Considering he did do so well this past week. Nothing against Josi, I do like the guy, but what does he have over Ellis? In fewer games played, Ellis has 9 points as well. Ellis has a +8 while Josi has a -10. Ellis has a S% of 11.5 while Josi only 4.8.

I know Josi is a good player, but so is Ellis.

by Erik Richard Unger on Feb 19, 2012 12:40 PM EST reply actions