Bill Meltzer: Examining the Ellis Trade: Hockey Impact, Expansion Draft, Cap and More

good morning bill, thanks for your never ending work, we all appreciate it

The small and very soft Flyers got smaller and softer

The small and very soft Flyers got smaller and softer
- RealBige

They got better and added leadership (BTW Ellis isn't "soft," although he's undersized. He gets banged up because he competes hard). They also aren't done making moves. There is cap space to address other needs.

Great breakdown.

My comments from previous post:

Just found out about the trades, read through all the comments....

WOW.

Someone said it already, but no matter what the Flyers do it's going to be poop on.

So for all the video game hockey players this is what is considered a good hockey trade. Actually Fletcher did an incredible job not giving up the first round pick too, which would of made sense. Pretty good job not giving up Sanheim either and just the undrafted Myers (basically a free asset).

If you want something then you have to give up something that you don't want to give up to get it...and Santa is not real. I know I just crushed a lot of dreams there.

A little shocked Vegas gave up on Glass, who at this point has a better upside than Patrick.

Flyers got better yes, but next move has to be a top 4 dman not only with skill but size and physical)

Ideally a right shot d, don’t know who to be honest. Larson is he made it to market?

Also need to address right wing - but vorachek will likely be staying now.

With Price potentially being a Kracken, I could see NAK being the player. If they don’t take Proce, Ghost is likely the guy.

Great summary, Bill. Agreed, the Flyers got better by getting a top RHD in exchange for getting rid of a couple of disappointments. Not bad work by Fletch, tbh. Still more work to be done.

Truthfully, I hope that NoPa grows up and finds his game to become the player that he can be. I wish him and Myers the best in their new roles.

Good job Chuck.

Ellis has missed 79 games the last 4 seasons. He played the full schedule in 2018-2019. If he averages missing 1/4 of the season as history shows then you have a problem. If he stays healthy it’s a sound trade. You can’t continue to just stand pat with the way the last decade has gone.

I questioned Myers hockey IQ early least season and folks on here tried to make a mockery of it...

Great summary, Bill. Agreed, the Flyers got better by getting a top RHD in exchange for getting rid of a couple of disappointments. Not bad work by Fletch, tbh. Still more work to be done.

Truthfully, I hope that NoPa grows up and finds his game to become the player that he can be. I wish him and Myers the best in their new roles.
- Letterkenney

Both players can still become very good players but this is a good move they needed to make.

Well, what I can say .... except HALLELUJAH! Given my positions posted in the past, I have to not only be bullish on this trade, I have to be completely giddy! I think Ryan Ellis is a great defenseman and great leader. He is Kimmo Timonen and maybe even slightly better. And the Flyers got him by trading away what I believe are their two worst players in Myers and Patrick. Both players may turn the corner and become good players in this league, but both players needed a fresh start, and the Flyers desperately needed a leader on the backend. This is a great hockey trade IMO, because the Flyers still keep their draft picks and good young players coming up.

BUT .... the Flyers need more than this on defense. They need 1 big tough top 4 defenseman, so look for Fletcher now to sign either Savard or Larsson when Free agency starts. I called this trade; I have been wanting Ellis or Ekholm for most of this season and I knew Nashville couldn't afford to keep both. Now the next step is to get one more top 4 guy, and a backup goalie in Free agency.

Nice start CF!!!

I don't know if I'd call it hockey IQ. If I told you what I think describes both Myers and Patrick I'd probably get banned from this site.

The small and very soft Flyers got smaller and softer
- RealBige

Ellis is smaller but he is a really good and “tough to play against” type of player. I dont think they got softer at all. I applaud CF for this one. WELL DONE!

They got better and added leadership (BTW Ellis isn't "soft," although he's undersized. He gets banged up because he competes hard). They also aren't done making moves. There is cap space to address other needs.
- bmeltzer

They need one more top 4 defenseman IMO, either Larsson or Savard would do the trick.

I don't know if I'd call it hockey IQ. If I told you what I think describes both Myers and Patrick I'd probably get banned from this site.
- backfire

They both had terrible seasons. There is a chance Myers develops into a solid player but it’s the cost of doing business. An argument can be made that Patrick was the worst player in the NHL last year.

Well, what I can say .... except HALLELUJAH! Given my positions posted in the past, I have to not only be bearish on this trade, I have to be completely giddy! I think Ryan Ellis is a great defenseman and great leader. He is Kimmo Timonen and maybe even slightly better. And the Flyers got him by trading away what I believe are their two worst players in Myers and Patrick. Both players may turn the corner and become good players in this league, but both players needed a fresh start, and the Flyers desperately needed a leader on the backend. This is a great hockey trade IMO, because the Flyers still keep their draft picks and good young players coming up.

BUT .... the Flyers need more than this on defense. They need 1 big tough top 4 defenseman, so look for Fletcher now to sign either Savard or Larsson when Free agency starts. I called this trade; I have been wanting Ellis or Ekholm for most of this season and I knew Nashville couldn't afford to keep both. Now the next step is to get one more top 4 guy, and a backup goals in Free agency.

Nice start CF!!!
- jd250

Now go get another good goalie

Ellis is smaller but he is a really good and “tough to play against” type of player. I dont think they got softer at all. I applaud CF for this one. WELL DONE!
- mikeyo27

Ryan Ellis has tons of skill and skating ability, provides great leadership and is tenacious! Everything the Flyers needed to improve upon this coming season. And IMO for what he brings is very affordable. I am very happy with this move.

They need one more top 4 defenseman IMO, either Larsson or Savard would do the trick.
- jd250

They need a “sniper” they need a guy that consistently puts the puck in the net. They haven’t had one of these type players in a long time.

They need a “sniper” they need a guy that consistently puts the puck in the net. They haven’t had one of these type players in a long time.
- PLindbergh31

Yes I agree, but they may have that in their system already with Allison and Foerster, and also who they draft at 13 next week. I want them to get one more top 4 D and a good backup goalie. Then lets see what cap space they have left, because I would love the Flyers to get Saad as well.

They both had terrible seasons. There is a chance Myers develops into a solid player but it’s the cost of doing business. An argument can be made that Patrick was the worst player in the NHL last year.
- PLindbergh31

Can either Myers or Patrick develop into the kind of impact player Ryan Ellis is now? I say, no chance in hell. So I expect it will be proven in the future the Flyers killed it on this trade.

Can either Myers or Patrick develop into the kind of impact player Ryan Ellis is now? I say, no chance in hell. So I expect it will be proven in the future the Flyers killed it on this trade.
- jd250

If Ellis stays healthy I would agree.

Yes I agree, but they may have that in their system already with Allison and Foerster, and also who they draft at 13 next week. I want them to get one more top 4 D and a good backup goalie. Then lets see what cap space they have left, because I would love the Flyers to get Saad as well.
- jd250

I’m excited about Allison but he’s injured too much. They do need another top 4 D. But they need another quality goalie because if Hart isn’t better they’re still not making the playoffs.

Does this trade make signing Ryan Suter less likely?