Flyers don't expect Ellis to play this season

Philadelphia Flyers general manager Chuck Fletcher doesn't anticipate that star defenseman Ryan Ellis will play this coming season.

"No timetable for his return to play," Fletcher said Thursday, according to Philly Hockey Now's Sam Carchidi. "I'll just say, my assumption is he won't play this season. If he does, it'll be a bonus."

Ellis is dealing with a multi-layered injury in the middle of his body and was limited to four games in his 2021-22 debut season with the Flyers. Fletcher acknowledged the 31-year-old's ailment could be career-ending, according to The Athletic's Charlie O'Connor.

Philadelphia acquired Ellis last offseason in a three-way trade that sent Nolan Patrick and Philippe Myers out of town. Ellis spent the first 10 years of his career with the Nashville Predators, where he notched 270 points in 562 games and established himself as one of the league's top right-side rearguards.

He was brought in to help stabilize the Flyers' blue line after the team missed the playoffs in 2020-21, and he was sorely missed last season as Philly finished last in the Metropolitan Division.

With Ellis out of the picture, the Flyers' right side projects to feature Tony DeAngelo, Rasmus Ristolainen, and Justin Braun.

Philadelphia begins its regular season Oct. 13 against the New Jersey Devils. It will be the club's first season under new head coach John Tortorella.

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