Ellis sent to Flyers in 3 team blockbuster

*Photo from USA Today*

   Folks, we have it. Our first blockbuster trade of the NHL offseason is upon us. The Nashville Predators, Philadelphia Flyers, and Vegas Golden Knights have finalized and confirmed a 3 team blockbuster with several moving parts. The key names are Ryan Ellis, Nolan Patrick, and Cody Glass.

   Here's a breakdown of who is going where. For the Flyers, it's simple. They get Ellis from the Predators. Nashville gets D Philippe Myers from the Flyers, and Glass from the Golden Knights. Patrick was originally traded to Nashville, but the Predators sent him to Vegas in exchange for Glass. There are no draft picks involved, and no salary is being retained.

   Flyers GM Chuck Fletcher said "Ryan is an excellent all-around defenseman. In our opinion, he's one of the best passers in the game on the blue line. He's great in transition, he can play the power play, he's got a heavy shot, and he's a very good penalty killer. He's been part of the leadership group in Nashville for a while. He is a competitive, team-oriented type of player. We think he's a really well-rounded hockey player, a quality person and somebody that we feel very fortunate that we were able to add to our group today."

   Ellis did have another solid season for the Predators in 2021, posting 5 goals and 13 assists, with a +1 plus/minus and an ATOI of 23:46 in 35 regular season games for Nashville. A former first round pick, Ellis has 75 goals and 195 assists, with a +114 plus/minus in 562 games, spread across 10 seasons, all with Nashville. The Flyers have Ellis for 6 more years and an AAV of $6.25 million. 

   When asked how he felt about the trade, Ellis said he was "Pretty shocked. To be honest, the trade just happened, haven't really thought too far ahead. I don't even know what to say. Just found out an hour ago. Winning is important, that's the business we're in, so just to win. I spent my whole career in Nashville. You're well-aware of the players on the Flyers and the talent they have. But they're in the East and the Predators are in the West. Don't really see them a whole lot. Everything's going to be new for me."

   Nashville GM David Poile said of parting with Ellis that "We will miss Ryan Ellis' leadership, dedication and work ethic in our locker room. We drafted Ryan in 2009, and over the last decade-plus he helped lead our franchise through its most competitive era, spending the last four seasons as Associate Captain. We wish Ryan and his family all the best in Philadelphia and thank him for all he did during his time with the Predators."

   The second overall pick in the 2017 NHL draft, Patrick, had a down year in his 3rd NHL season with the Flyers. Patrick contributed just 4 goals and 5 assists, with a whopping -30 plus/minus in an ATOI of 13:17 in 52 games played this season. In his 3 seasons, Patrick has a -37 plus/minus in an ATOI of 14:06, with 30 goals and 40 assists in 197 games. 

   Patrick said of heading to Vegas that "I was real excited when I heard the news. Obviously, it wasn't the year I wanted to have in Philly, but I think a fresh start was the best thing for me. Coming to an organization like Vegas is extremely exciting. For my offseason training, I'm extremely motivated after the season I had. I'm looking to have a a bounce-back year, so I'll do everything I can to get myself ready for the first game."

   Heading to Nashville is Myers, a right shot defenseman that has two years and a $2.55 million cap hit remaining on a 3 year, $7.65 million deal he signed with the Flyers last winter. Myers has good upside on the defensive front for the Predators, and figures to help pick up some of the slack left behind by Ellis, who is also a right shot defenseman.

   In 2021, Myers scored just one goal, but added 10 assists, with an ATOI of 18:52, picking up heavy minutes, with a -10 plus minus in 44 games for the Flyers, who missed the playoffs. In his 3 NHL seasons, Myers has 6 goals and 23 assists to his name, with a +2 plus/minus and an ATOI of 17:28 in 115 games played.

   Also coming to the Predators is Glass, a right shot center who has two years of NHL experience under his belt. In those two seasons, Glass has 9 goals and 13 assists, with a -1 plus/minus, and an ATOI of 13:51, in 66 games played, after suiting up for just 27 games last season. 

   Poilie said "We felt it was time for a change to our core this offseason, and we are really excited to add an influx of youth, size and skill into the lineup with these additions. Cody Glass is a former sixth-overall pick that we think has a high ceiling as a center prospect, and Philippe Myers is a 6-foot-5 defenseman that adds an element that we do not currently have on our back end."