Ugh. That Handzus trade still hurts. What a player.

Ugh. That Handzus trade still hurts. What a player.
- Boyer83

i think the Sharp or Williams trade stings more

Why do you think Nashville made this deal? I have no doubt that the Flyers got a really good player. For now.
- MJL

Length of remaining term and a likely ownership directive to pare down payroll. The last two seasons have been financially rough revenue wise.

I think it's a very relevant concern and I believe is was a significant factor in why Nashville was willing to trade him.
- MJL

Relevant concern sure. He hasn’t shown any decline in his game. His 82 game season was just 3 seasons ago and the last 2 were shortened Covid season. Although last year he was out handful of games for the broken knuckle.

His points per game look pretty good right now. Not dropping off at all.

So how relevant is it is a question we should ask. Your assuming that they got rid of him due to this concern with no proof of their intention. Your not a guy who jumps to these conclusions. There is no sign of decline based on his stats and a broken knuckle is hardly a concern in one’s future health.

Lot of guys end up worse for wear after accumulated injuries, even if they're seemingly unrelated. Especially the older the body gets, the harder it is to bounce back to 100% when you hurt anything.

With that said, Ellis isn't a guaranteed train wreck nor a lock to miss a ton of games. He might have to adjust the way he plays to protect his body a bit more, but he could still be effective until the end of his contract. Or not. We'll see.
- Tomahawk

This is reasonable. 30 is not old though. But every play ages different. His point production has been strong of lately. And I read his ability to defend is a strength of his. He is not just a puck moving Defender.

No doubt that wear and tear is cumulative. There isn't any doubt in my mind that Nashville was willing to trade Ellis because they see him as declining and wanted to get out of the contract before it's too late. The good thing is that even a declining player can remain a good player into his 30's. It's just a question of how fast a player declines.
- MJL

Well his stats don’t show a decline. Just 2 years ago was some of his best numbers. At least in some basic stats. I’m not totally sold on stats so your premise is still intact. I just don’t see it.

This is great..

It reminds me of a musician I used to play with, a top name bass player who taught young musicians how to take care of themselves on the road and he conducts himself as a professional in his craft, dealing with other musicians and the public.
- RajaAmpat

Les Claypool?

Ekholm is not the player that Ellis is right now. I think who they really like is Fabbro.
- MJL

That’s what I read in an article around the trade deadline that highlighted the Preds interest to move him. He was out at the time with his injury. They reported as a shoulder injury and said that maybe part of it. But Fabbro was the guy they liked to replace Ellis.

That’s what I read in an article around the trade deadline that highlighted the Preds interest to move him. He was out at the time with his injury. They reported as a shoulder injury and said that maybe part of it. But Fabbro was the guy they liked to replace Ellis.
- peesinwind

They're also very high on Alexandre Carrier and Francis Allard. Carrier seemed to really turn a corner last year and was playing top 4 minutes after being called up.

No he wasn’t the issue. But with Nashville picking it up later in the season and with Josi still on the backend they were able to acquire two younger pieces. Good trade for both clubs. Right now better for us. If and big if. Both younger players live up to their previous hype Nashville could be viewed as the winners years down the road. Major ifs though.
- Peter Richards

I’m sure Nashville was looking down the road when making this deal. Cap space is tough even if they aren’t crunched. They will have issues as everybody does. Ellis has a long term and was a price that the Flyers have shown interest in so they could move him.

They're also very high on Alexandre Carrier and Francis Allard. Carrier seemed to really turn a corner last year and was playing top 4 minutes after being called up.
- mochoson

The team is loaded on the backend. They have done well with draft and development on the blue line. Crazy that they could be felling at ease in replacing a guy like Ellis down the road. He is a very good player.

I find hockey players are quite accommodating. I am such a big fan, I'd always take an opportunity to meet any of the Flyers players. I've had nothing but good experiences with the players and alumni.
- Hextall271

I've always had great experiences with any alumni. I've spent time working some in local rinks. I've done security at half dozen games. I reffed 2 and played in one.
Any interaction was always a good time.
Played against the old guys, Kelly, Schultz, scored a goal with both Watsons on the ice. Spent a couple hours with Coatsey drinking beer afterwards. My son was 10 and was in awe. I kept telling him Coatsey was a famous TV star.
Joe Watson is a story machine.

Hockey players are the best.

I've always had great experiences with any alumni. I've spent time working some in local rinks. I've done security at half dozen games. I reffed 2 and played in one.
Any interaction was always a good time.
Played against the old guys, Kelly, Schultz, scored a goal with both Watsons on the ice. Spent a couple hours with Coatsey drinking beer afterwards. My son was 10 and was in awe. I kept telling him Coatsey was a famous TV star.
Joe Watson is a story machine.

Hockey players are the best.
- jaws1955

Bill Clement spoke at my son’s banquet 4 years ago. We live in Caps territory so I was shocked when I heard he was speaking. Funny dude. Good speaker. Spoke to him some afterwards. Easy to talk to. Was super friendly and gave time to all that wanted it.

Flyers Alumni is very strong and they do a lot of good things. I like that Bill’s blog always shares this information. Keep up the good work Bill.

You have to take everything you read with a grain of salt and always consider sources but I've read reports that he has shown decline. Why did Nashville make the deal?
- MJL

You keep asking this question like it matters. The only thing that matters is how he performs during his contract.

My view is this. Many are looking at his cap hit for what is considered a top pairing all situations RH Dman and comparing it to what Jones and Hamilton got. I get that. My point is that cap hit for a player that Ellis is right now, is cheap. You'd pay a lot more in cap hit for a player of Ellis' caliber on the open market. That's a player you keep! Not trade. I also look at the return. Although I'm high on Myers, he is still young and unproven. Add in Patrick. They couldn't do better on the return for a top pair RH all situations defenseman with a great cap hit and cost controlled for 6 more years? Something doesn't add up.
- MJL

Yes, Ellis carries injury/decline risk. And that contract may be problematic under a flat cap and Nashville doesn't have the margins to be paying a guy to sit in the pressbox injured.

Poile also has a long history of waving goodbye to good dmen at their absolute peak since he always seems to have a plan to immediately replace them. In this case, I'm betting he's very comfortable with the idea that Myers, Carrier or Fabbro will step into Ellis' shoes immediately. Carrier handled very tough minutes well in Ellis' absence this year and Myers still has incredible upside.

The team is loaded on the backend. They have done well with draft and development on the blue line. Crazy that they could be felling at ease in replacing a guy like Ellis down the road. He is a very good player.
- peesinwind

Nashville imo is one of the better teams at drafting and developing d. Past twenty years about their d has been solid.

Yes, Ellis carries injury/decline risk. And that contract may be problematic under a flat cap and Nashville doesn't have the margins to be paying a guy to sit in the pressbox injured.

Poile also has a long history of waving goodbye to good dmen at their absolute peak since he always seems to have a plan to immediately replace them. In this case, I'm betting he's very comfortable with the idea that Myers, Carrier or Fabbro will step into Ellis' shoes immediately. Carrier handled very tough minutes well in Ellis' absence this year and Myers still has incredible upside.
- Tomahawk

Plus, even if he declines, or is declining, he still massively improves our defense from both a play and leadership standpoint. I expect to see Provorov's play improve as a result.

So even if he isn't "in his prime" Ryan Ellis, or is but will not remain so, he is still making our defense better than it was before him. And will continue to make it so IMO.

Plus, even if he declines, or is declining, he still massively improves our defense from both a play and leadership standpoint. I expect to see Provorov's play improve as a result.

So even if he isn't "in his prime" Ryan Ellis, or is but will not remain so, he is still making our defense better than it was before him. And will continue to make it so IMO.
- MBFlyerfan

I like the Ellis deal. The first thing I saw was a 6 year deal. I thought, Provey has 4 more years, his partner is set. The Risto deal surprised me. My first thought was "every time we play Buffalo, I hate this (frank)er all over again. I like what he brings. Yandell was a big surprise. In hind sight I like it. A better Ghost, cost nothing. Good vet presence AND experience.
I think the Flyers have the best D they've had in 10 years. I like Morin as the 7.
I'm interested to see how Atkinson plays out. I liked Jake and understand his game. Atkinson seems to have a high motor all the time. We traded some assists for more goals. We need shoot first guys. I'm hopeful.
I think the goalie, 1 year term, low hit guys were in short supply. Not a lot of fit options. We shall see.
I'm loath to look too harshly at numbers for the last two years. Hockey players are human too. Covid has (frank)ed with everyones head.
I'm not upset with the Thompson signing either. Coots spoke at his exit that the year before they had vets that knew their roll. He knows his roll as the 12th, 13th forward.
The cost to acquire them all was high but if the team performs well, no one will care.
Hurry up October.
LETS GO FLYERS!!!
#OskarStrong

I like the Ellis deal. The first thing I saw was a 6 year deal. I thought, Provey has 4 more years, his partner is set. The Risto deal surprised me. My first thought was "every time we play Buffalo, I hate this (frank)er all over again. I like what he brings. Yandell was a big surprise. In hind sight I like it. A better Ghost, cost nothing. Good vet presence AND experience.
I think the Flyers have the best D they've had in 10 years. I like Morin as the 7.
I'm interested to see how Atkinson plays out. I liked Jake and understand his game. Atkinson seems to have a high motor all the time. We traded some assists for more goals. We need shoot first guys. I'm hopeful.
I think the goalie, 1 year term, low hit guys were in short supply. Not a lot of fit options. We shall see.
I'm loath to look too harshly at numbers for the last two years. Hockey players are human too. Covid has (frank)ed with everyones head.
I'm not upset with the Thompson signing either. Coots spoke at his exit that the year before they had vets that knew their roll. He knows his roll as the 12th, 13th forward.
The cost to acquire them all was high but if the team performs well, no one will care.
Hurry up October.
LETS GO FLYERS!!!
#OskarStrong
- jaws1955

I feel like you got inside my head and stole my thoughts. Haha. I agree with all this. I have a good feeling about that Provy-Ellis pairing. If they work out we have 4 more years of it at only 13m AAV. For a top pair of defenders that performs well this is a steal.

Yes, Ellis carries injury/decline risk. And that contract may be problematic under a flat cap and Nashville doesn't have the margins to be paying a guy to sit in the pressbox injured.

Poile also has a long history of waving goodbye to good dmen at their absolute peak since he always seems to have a plan to immediately replace them. In this case, I'm betting he's very comfortable with the idea that Myers, Carrier or Fabbro will step into Ellis' shoes immediately. Carrier handled very tough minutes well in Ellis' absence this year and Myers still has incredible upside.
- Tomahawk

The contract has 6 years left. There are indications that the cap will be flat for the next couple of years, but with the injection of much more TV money via ESPN/TNT there are many folks that think the cap will be on the rise again well before this contract expires.

Plus, even if he declines, or is declining, he still massively improves our defense from both a play and leadership standpoint. I expect to see Provorov's play improve as a result.

So even if he isn't "in his prime" Ryan Ellis, or is but will not remain so, he is still making our defense better than it was before him. And will continue to make it so IMO.
- MBFlyerfan

If you look at his stats he is not in a decline. Pretty solid numbers. Stats don’t say it all but from what I understood he was doing well in his return. Guy has a lot of compete in him also.

Les Claypool?
- corduroy

Nope, Sid Vicious!

Good for you. It was also a target in CT, he’s an NHL player it’s not like lebron walking through the town. He ate it up, told me I had a good eye for spotting him
- ClaudeFather

If I saw LaBum James walking in the Target parking lot, I would have swerved my car at him......

The contract has 6 years left. There are indications that the cap will be flat for the next couple of years, but with the injection of much more TV money via ESPN/TNT there are many folks that think the cap will be on the rise again well before this contract expires.
- Phillywhiteout

The projection is that the cap will flatten out for 5-years.

The TV deal actually doesn't bring in enough money to make a real difference. The main problem is that revenues were so low during Covid that the players actually owe the owners a (frank)-ton of money that couldn't be covered by escrow. And if the players' debt crosses a certain threshold, it triggers a clause in the CBA where the cap is basically frozen until it's reduced.

That's gonna take quite a few years, unless the NHL all of a sudden starts pulling in NBA money.

DGB has a really nice piece about it if you're curious about the particulars:
https://www.pensionplanpu...revenues-should-rise-soon

I met Dave Shultz and Bob Kelly at the NHL store in NYC a few years ago. They were as nice as could be and took a photo with me. Shultz was taking about how tough it was to play against the Rangers at MSG and I told him that he had it easy and I called him a Wuss in front of everybody. You could have heard a Pin drop. I explained to him that he fought on the ice for a couple minutes, then the refs stepped in and he sat in the box for 5 minutes. I told him that I sat in the blue seats in the rafters of MSG and I had to fight with the drunk Ranger fans for 20 minutes each period, plus intermissions. He laughed and agreed with me. Both guys still looked like they could be playing in the NHL.