Though it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, Philadelphia Flyers general manager Chuck Fletcher confirmed to reporters including Adam Kimelman of NHL.com earlier today that Ryan Ellis will not play this season. In training camp, the team had admitted that it didn’t look likely.
Ellis, 31, has played just four games for the Flyers since arriving in the summer of 2021, acquired for Nolan Patrick and Philippe Myers. The former Nashville Predators star had five points in those four appearances, a tantalizing example of what he could have brought to the Philadelphia attack.
Instead, the team is stuck with him on injured reserve for another year, using his $6.25MM cap hit as LTIR flexibility instead. With Ellis ruled out, the team is in no danger of facing a cap squeeze later in the year, though with their recent struggles it likely wouldn’t matter much anyway. The Flyers are now 1-6-3 in their last ten after winning on Tuesday night, and don’t have the appearance of a team ready to compete for a playoff spot.
The frustrating part for fans and management alike is that Ellis has four more years on his contract after this one. Even if he never plays again, that will restrict some of the ways in which the team can operate. LTIR relief is not just free cap space, it has negative effects as well, like forcing bonus carryovers. The Flyers are paying $295K in those carryovers this year and could face more next season if a player like Noah Cates secures some of his performance bonuses.
It’s not like Ellis was ready for retirement. He won’t turn 32 until January and was legitimately in the prime of his career when the team acquired him, though injury was always a concern. In his last full season, 2018-19, the right-shot defenseman recorded a career-high 41 points. He was even better the following year, with 38 in just 49 games during the COVID-shortened campaign, but then was able to suit up just 35 times in 2020-21.
Now, it is unclear if he’ll ever get back on the ice with the Flyers or anyone else.
Glad you put the link to an article there because you never mention here what his injury is…
He has multiple injuries, including a torn psoas, a hip issue, and an adductor issue. The team has been very vague when discussing it to this point, and Fletcher did not elaborate today.
sad, cause Ryan was one helluva Dman before he arrived in Philadelphia
Better off doing a buyout on him. Not like he will take the honorable way and retire.
Both things you suggest would hurt the flyers. Sticking him on LTIR is by far the best option at this point.
You can’t buy him out if he has a hockey related injury. Not sure what the heck is meant by “the honorable way” here.
@fffbbb Would you give up $30 million and insurance while dealing with a litany of injuries?
“Litany of injuries” never before seen in players not involved in plane crashes, etc. Just bizarre, really.
Where in the World is Ryan Ellis
Disgraceful. Who was the last seemingly healthy player who vanished off the face of the earth like this? Coots is next.