Ryan Ellis
You have to chalk up Ryan Ellis‘ injury-shortened season as a success. His numbers after his return from injury are solid with 32 points in 44 games. That’s an indication that he didn’t lose a step, and if anything he improved over the previous season. In 2016-17, Ellis amassed 38 points in 71 games. His pace in the second half of last season shows he’s trending upward.
There’s pressure on the Predators front office to get a contract negotiation hammered out to ensure that Ellis will be around for years to come. The two sides are expected to meet at the bargaining table within the next week or so when things calm down, per Robby Stanley of NHL.com:
I've spoken with Ryan Ellis' camp. They and the Predators talked at the draft and assume they'll start talking again once the free agent frenzy concludes. Ellis is comfortable waiting. Both sides want to get something done but trying to project the market can hold things off.
— Robby Stanley (@RStanleyNHL) June 27, 2018
If an Ellis deal does get done before the start of the season, then he’ll have a new form of pressure to back up what figures to be a hefty new contract. I’ve always thought Ellis is captain-like material and deserves a long-term deal. The best is probably still to come from this underrated defenseman.