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Ryan Ellis does not yet know Ivan Provorov.
But similar to their intentions on the ice, the two should get along. How they work together will be key to the Flyers’ chances of bouncing back from a disconcerting and disappointing 2020-21 season.
“I’m just trying to do whatever the team needs to win, whether it’s blocking shots or making defensive plays,” Ellis said Tuesday in his introductory press conference. “If we’re down it’s cheating on offense, trying to make the games happen offensively. Honestly, I’m just proud to be a guy first, see out of myself.
“At this point in my career all I want to do is win and this organization has a winning standard and expectations for doing it. For me, I’m going to try to play my game and help the team. in any way. can move forward. Whether it’s scoring goals or stopping goals, do both, whatever it takes to help this team win. “
The state of mind is reminiscent of Provorov, a guy who wants to do everything and everything to win.
The Flyers called up Ellis, 30, of Nashville on Saturday to bolster their best defensive pair. The hole next to Provorov, 24, was evident all last season, when the Flyers missed the playoffs and allowed more goals than any other hockey team at 3.52 per game.
Around the Delaware Valley, the hole was infamously known as the Matt Niskanen Retreat Void.
The Flyers’ first goal this offseason was to fill it as general manager Chuck Fletcher acquired Ellis from the Predators in exchange for Philippe Myers and Nolan Patrick. He did it before the expansion draft, the entry draft and free will. The club’s offseason overhaul is far from over, but Ellis’ landing was an important first step.
“We paid a price, we recognize that,” Fletcher said on Saturday, “but it’s just very difficult to reach defenders like this.
Ellis is an established, well-rounded, right-handed defender who takes on a ton of responsibility. His entire 10-year NHL career was spent in Nashville. Of all the NHL defensemen in that span, Ellis has the fifth-best even-matched on-ice goal differential with a mark of plus-109, behind only Ryan McDonagh (plus-162), Zdeno Chara (plus- 152), Victor Hedman (plus-119) and Niskanen (plus-115).
The Predators haven’t missed the playoffs over the past seven seasons, a streak that included a run to the 2017 Stanley Cup Finals. During that time, Ellis played more than two minutes per game on the power play. and shorthanded, scored 64 goals (16 on the power play, three on the penalty kill), 162 assists and a plus-102 rating.
It makes a lot. The same goes for left-hander Provorov, who has never missed a game in his career and has been called a “machine” by Jakub Voracek.
Ellis and Provorov are about to meet. Chances are they like each other’s game.
“In the last couple of years, I don’t even know how many times I’ve played at Wells Fargo Center,” Ellis said. “I know he’s an amazing player, he has great skills, I’ve seen him score some impressive goals on the highlights. Being in the East and us in the West before, I didn’t. not seen much to be honest.
“I know they have a great core, the core has been there for a long time. They’ve had a lot of success, so I’m looking forward to getting started, being another player, contributing in any way I can, that whether it’s on the ice or off. Just be another guy in the room trying to chase something together. “
Ellis, who suffered injuries during his career, missed the whole of March last season with an upper body problem that was rumored to be in his shoulder. Ellis debunked this, pointing out that he had broken a bone in one of his hands. While Nashville head coach John Hynes said on March 22 that the defenseman had surgery, it was not clear on Tuesday whether Ellis had undergone any surgery last season for an injury. Either way, Ellis declared himself to be in good health. Despite playing 35 of the Predators’ 56 games, Ellis was very effective throughout the final stretch as Nashville advanced to the playoffs.
“I don’t know which shoulder you’re talking about,” Ellis said. “I smashed my fingers last year, so that’s why I ran out of time.… I’m healthy, I’m hungry, I’m happy and excited to be a member of the Flyers. “
As Ellis spoke to the media on Tuesday, Saturday’s news still looked fresh. He had not yet had the opportunity to make contact with some of his former Nashville teammates to go their separate ways.
“To be honest, I wasn’t envisioning any of that,” said Ellis, who is under contract for the next six seasons. “I’ve never been traded or anything in my life. It was a shock and a lot of surprise. After that, I was able to move on and move on. I’m excited to the next chapter. was sad honestly i haven’t even spoken to them all yet because the last few days have been very busy i’m moving forward and i’m happy to be part of the flyers organization.
“This is my first time going through it, so it’s a bit of a shock to the system and to me and my family. But nothing but to wait from here.”
It will start with Ellis and Provorov settling in as a new pair, with similar games and the same goal.
More: Ellis’ New Shirt Number Is One The Flyers Fans Have Never Seen
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