Predlines
Fansided

Nashville Predators: Players With Growing Expectations, Pressure Next Season

By Chad Minton

NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 13: Kevin Fiala #22 of the Nashville Predators celebrates with teammates Ryan Ellis #4 and Craig Smith #15 after scoring a goal against the Winnipeg Jets during the first period at Bridgestone Arena on March 13, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 13: Kevin Fiala #22 of the Nashville Predators celebrates with teammates Ryan Ellis #4 and Craig Smith #15 after scoring a goal against the Winnipeg Jets during the first period at Bridgestone Arena on March 13, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next
DENVER, CO – APRIL 22: Ryan Ellis #4 of the Nashville Predators fires a goal against the Colorado Avalanche in Game Six of the Western Conference First Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Pepsi Center on April 22, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – APRIL 22: Ryan Ellis #4 of the Nashville Predators fires a goal against the Colorado Avalanche in Game Six of the Western Conference First Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Pepsi Center on April 22, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

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:

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.

Home/Analysis