Ellis quietly having a career year on Predators' blue line
The Nashville Predators are no strangers to offensively-inclined defensemen.
Between former captain Shea Weber, No.4-pick turned trade chip Seth Jones, and present stars P.K. Subban and Roman Josi, the Predators have watched more than a few highlight-reel plays take shape from their blue line.
But often lost among that mix is blue-liner Ryan Ellis. Perhaps his under-the-radar status has helped him, as the 26-year-old has turned in a career-best campaign in 2016-17, showing more of the promise he teased during his junior days.
Through 62 games, Ellis has potted 14 goals and 34 points, both marks ranking as the highest he's ever posted. He broke away from his previous best point total on Monday night, tallying two goals against the Arizona Coyotes to move into previously unexplored offensive territory.
That increased production isn't simply the result of a talented cast of characters around him. He has the benefit of playing alongside the talented Josi, but given that over 40 percent of Ellis' points have been netted via his own goal-scoring rather than piling up helpers, it's fair to say he's pulling his own weight, offensively.
But that shouldn't come as a surprise.
While the young rearguard is rarely discussed in conversations of the game's next wave of great offensive defenders, Ellis' resume suggests he could be a part of that group.
This is a player who finished his junior hockey career by stockpiling 101 points in just 58 games for the OHL's Windsor Spitfires. And he tallied at a clip of 1.27 points per game over the three seasons before that.
The most intriguing aspect of that elite production? He didn't get any help in terms of natural physical gifts. Even after nearly six seasons in the professional hockey ranks, offseason training and all, Ellis measures in at just 5-foot-10, 180 pounds.
It's his skill that's gotten him this far, and 2016-17 has served as yet another indication that Ellis has plenty more to give in that department.
That's fantastic news for the Predators, as injuries and a needed time of adjustment have led to a tumultuous showing from Subban during his first go-round in Nashville.
In the meantime, Ellis has stepped up, leading all Predators defensemen in goals, while ranking third in points and average ice time (seeing a career-high 24:04 per night).
He's coming on at just the right time for Nashville. As the club heads into the home stretch, preparing for a tough playoff run that will likely pit it against the dominant Minnesota Wild, Ellis has turned it up, posting five goals and nine points through his past 10 games.
Surely a welcome turn, as the Predators will need all the help they can get come playoff time.