Fantasy Take: Flyers Land Ellis; Glass to Nashville & Patrick to Vegas

Alexander MacLean

2021-07-17

In a three-team blockbuster, the Vegas Golden Knights took advantage of their sideline status from the expansion draft, while the Predators and the Flyers firmed up their positions.

Nashville downgraded Ryan Ellis on defence to Philippe Myers, while adding a young centre in need of a new home. They then flipped that centre for a different centre in need of a new home, with both Vegas (acquiring Nolan Patrick) and Nashville (acquiring Cody Glass) hoping the change of scenery is just what those two young men need.

What the Flyers receive:

Ryan Ellis is an all-around stud, and has the ability to be a powerplay quarterback on a playoff team. He is an undervalued right-shot defenceman, and at 30-years of age he still has plenty of gas in the tank. He has fluctuated between a 40-point-pace and a 60-point-pace for the last five years, and this year he's in line for one of his bigger seasons. If he meshes well with the top power play unit for the Flyers, he could be a top-10 fantasy defenceman this year.

However, Ellis does miss games, and has had some injury troubles the past few years. He has always been healthy for the playoffs though, and that is the end goal for the Flyers. This is a coup for the team as both Patrick and Myers were expendable, and it also saves them from having to overpay Dougie Hamilton or Seth Jones. Ellis comes in at a very affordable $6.25 million, so they still have plenty of room to re-up Travis Sanheim and Carter Hart.

What the Predators receive:

The Predators gave from an area of strength to bring in a replacement defenceman, and a young, highly touted centre. Cody Glass can slot in as a top-six centre here, getting the opportunities that there just wasn't room for in Vegas. He will also help a powerplay for the Predators that has been anemic at times, and can be part of an offensive wave for the team that will also include youngsters Eeli Tolvanen and Philip Tomasino.

Myers is a solid option for the Predators on the second pair, and is much younger and more affordable than Ellis. His underlying numbers aren't the prettiest, but he does have some offensive flare, and the size and mobility to grow into an even more effective presence in his own end. He won't receive much powerplay time though, and will have to contend with Dante Fabbro and Alexandre Carrier in the pecking order for right-handed defencemen.

What the Golden Knights receive:

Vegas turns a player exempt from the expansion draft (Glass) into one they like better who would have required protection (Patrick). Injuries have thus far stunted Patrick's development, but the former second overall pick could shine with the Golden Knights. It is possible that Patrick takes over the top-line centre role between Mark Stone and Max Pacioretty, which is a plum fantasy spot (just ask Chandler Stephenson). Even if not, he ends up on the third line with Alex Tuch, and they can feast on lesser defence pairs in a weak Pacific Division.

Players this helps:

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Ryan Ellis

Cody Glass

Nolan Patrick

Carter Hart

Players this hurts:

Chandler Stephenson (Possibly knocked down to the third line.)

Philip Tomasino (Likely to start the season in the AHL, barring another big move by the Predators to subtract a forward)

Shayne Gostisbehere

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