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Predators GM on Ryan Ellis negotiations: 'It’s a difference of dollars'

Dennis Wierzbicki / USA Today

The Nashville Predators are into their second day of training camp and restricted free agent Ryan Ellis, the club's third highest scoring defenseman last season, has yet to report to camp due to a contract dispute.

"It is a typical negotiation that unfortunately has gone past the time that we needed to have something done, meaning having him here for training camp," explained Predators general manager David Poile, per Kristopher Martel of the accredited Predatorial blog. "There’s nothing really much to go into, it’s very simple, it’s a difference of dollars.

"We’ve talked shorter term contracts and we’ve talked longer term contracts," explained the veteran Predators executive. "Unfortunately, at this time, we have not agreed yet what they think and what we think is fair compensation. We both totally realize that the sooner we get it done it’s better for us and it’s better for Ryan."

The 23-year-old Ellis, a first-round pick of the Predators at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, appeared in 80 games for Nashville last season. The offensive-minded blue-liner managed to score six goals and 27 total points, leading all Predators defenders in relative shot attempt differential in the process. 

While his counting statistics and underlying numbers were strong, Ellis only logged third-pairing minutes at even strength and faced tertiary competition. In light of his modest usage and favorable deployment, it would be understandable if the Predators were leery about overcompensating the puck-moving defender. 

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