section303.com is reporting the rumor ... still a stretch and illogical if true. Our blueline is already suffering from a lack of stay home defenders and Ellis is a small puck mover. Very high risk move if it's what they go with.
Ellis being showcased... maybe? What if we are showcasing him to other teams in hopes of having a stay at home D man or a top six? Wonder if the philly rumor has anything to do with this.
Ellis won't be able to replace Weber's minutes but he'll certainly be able to fill the gap on the power play. He's a special player, its silly to dismiss him as nothing more than "a small puck moving defenceman". Wayne Gretzky was more than just a small playmaking center. I'm not saying Ellis is anywhere near as good as Gretzky, just saying the simple labels don't apply in some situations. Ellis is more than a small puck mover.
Ellis won't be able to replace Weber's minutes but he'll certainly be able to fill the gap on the power play. He's a special player, its silly to dismiss him as nothing more than "a small puck moving defenceman". Wayne Gretzky was more than just a small playmaking center. I'm not saying Ellis is anywhere near as good as Gretzky, just saying the simple labels don't apply in some situations. Ellis is more than a small puck mover.
Based on how he has, and hasn't, adjusted to the pro game calling him a small, puck moving defender is quite accurate at this point. He's been able to score at the AHL level but isn't a defensive force. This team's issues don't currently involve an inability to put points on the scoreboard but center on an inability to keep the other team from doing the same. Ellis in, Blum sitting ... no issues with the way Blum has played of late. Weber out, Ellis in ... not a good substitution by any stretch of the imagination.
No matter how special Ellis was in junior hockey, he hasn't made an instant jump to the same impact level at the pro game. His AHL numbers are good, but, not exceptional by any means. Zero power play goals ... only four goals total for the season.
If Weber is out ... Suter and Hillen become the size on the backend.
NSH PP is very important to its offense obviously. And the PP1 unit revolves around Weber's heavy right handed shot from the point (both for goals and rebounds) being fed by a left handed Suter.
Ellis also has a heavy right handed shot from the point. Just saying.
The more I think about it something else must be up. I can't believe that blum sucks so badly that we would be better off with ellis arriving at 530 tonite and dressing for his first nhl game. Must be more than weber questionable for tonite or ellis is being showcased
On the pre-game show Friday night they said it was a very good possibility that Klein would be out for this game too.
It could be precautionary if KK is still a no-go.
Klein is out for sure tonight and Weber most likely is too. I think we can be looking at an upper body injury/concussion for Weber probably be day to day.
