Nashville Predators: Top-Five Defenseman in Franchise History
By Rich Howe
3. Ryan Ellis (2012-Current)
The Predators have one of the top defensive tandems in the NHL. It is easy to see why when watching Ryan Ellis. He just has to stay healthy going forward.
Ellis, another homegrown Predators defender, was the 11th-overall pick in the 2009 draft. He made his NHL debut during the 2011-12 season and arrived around the same time as Ekholm.
A nine-year veteran, Ellis has 252 career points (70 goals, 182 assists). His career blocks sit at 808, and he has 421 career hits. He has also served as an alternate captain since the 2017-18 season.
Ellis is already top-ten on the Predators all-time list for assists (182), points (252) and shots (988). He’s also at the top all-time for the franchise in Plus/Minus at Plus-113, which is just incredible to think about.
Since entering the league in 2011, Ellis’ Corsi rating has only dipped below 50 for one season, and even then, it was 49.3.
Last season, Ellis was on track to have a career year until he sustained an injury in the Winter Classic. Had he not been injured, he undoubtedly would’ve had his best year ever.
Ellis is one of the most underrated defensemen in the NHL, and the Predators are a better team when he’s on the ice. He is a smart and tough defender and don’t count him out for a Norris Trophy nomination before he’s finished.