If you’re a fan of the Philadelphia Flyers, you’re most likely sky high right about now. This off-season needed to bring in an overhaul of change, and yesterday was just the start of it with the Flyers trading for former Nashville Predators stand out defenseman Ryan Ellis in what would be eventually a three team trade.
Make no bones about it, this is the single biggest trade that the Flyers have pulled off in a decade, bringing in a bonafide number one defenseman that the team has not had since Kimmo Timonen and Chris Pronger. This was a great trade pulled off by GM Chuck Fletcher, so lets get into the details.
Great asset management by Fletcher
In short, this was a an absolute home run of a trade from a Flyers stand point asset wise. Fletcher was able to acquire a top pairing defenseman without giving up a top prospect or a first round pick. The cost was essentially a number four defenseman and a fourth-line center that no longer wanted to be in Philadelphia in Phil Myers and Nolan Patrick respectfully. But don’t take my word for it: even the Athletic had high praise for the Flyers.
The Flyers fill their biggest need
The biggest need going into the offseason was to find a real top pairing defenseman to play with Ivan Provorov on the right side after Matt Niskanen’s retirement. After last off-season’s flub in Erik Gustafsson, Fletcher needed to remedy the situation, but it was going to be tough because there needed to be a specific set of skills to make it work. Ryan Ellis, other than possibly Dougie Hamilton, was probably the best “fit” for what the Flyers were looking for:
- A defenseman that plays on the right side and is right handed shot
- A 10 year veteran that averages over 23 minutes of ice-time and also brings a veteran presence much needed on the back end
- A heavy shot that can help out your power play that has struggled
And the most underrated part as to why Ellis was probably the best option over someone like Hamilton or Seth Jones? He is already under contract for another six years at a manageable cap hit. That’s the opposite of, say, Seth Jones who reportedly wouldn’t commit to an extension with the Flyers
"“The Seth Jones-to-Philadelphia discussions appear off, for now. The Flyers can’t get the commitment they want from Jones. That’s his right, to wait unless he’s certain, but Philly won’t make the deal without it.”"
With Hamilton you’d have to think that every team will come knocking at his door, and with Philadelphia no longer a premiere spot for free agents, he’ll most likely take his talents elsewhere. Ellis is someone you have control over now and in the future.
Inherent risk, but also the bigger picture
There is always going to be risk when you trade for a player, and Ryan Ellis is no exception to that. At 30 years old he is no spring chicken, and with injuries taking a toll already with six years left on his contract, there is a potential for disaster there. But let’s get rid of the doom and gloom for a moment and look at what this trade really means: The Flyers seem to be “The Flyers” of old again, if only for a moment.
After a decade of mediocrity that saw a lot of fans wallowing in apathy, this trade has invigorated the fanbase and has generated excitement around the team again, and that can’t be understated. This is a great trade all around for the team, for the organization, and for the fanbase. With plenty of assets still left at his disposal Chuck Fletcher still might not be done changing this team.