Ryan Ellis could miss the start of the season with the Philadelphia Flyers.
The defenseman played in only four games last season, none after Nov. 13, because of what the 31-year-old called a “multilayered” issue involving the “complex of the entire pelvic region.”
“If you’re asking me right now, I doubt it,” coach John Tortorella said Monday when asked if Ellis would be ready to play.
The Flyers open the season against the New Jersey Devils on Oct. 13, but Tortorella added that he didn’t think Ellis would be healthy when they opened training camp on Sept. 21.
“I’ve had several conversations with Ryan Ellis as far as how he’s doing,” Tortorella said. “That’s been an up and down process for him. He’s doing everything he possibly can to get ready for camp, [but] I’m doubtful that’s going to happen.”
Ellis said April 30 that he was confident he would be healthy for training camp after spending most of last season investigating the nature of his injury. He said at the time that rest and rehabilitation, rather than surgery, would help him get healthy.
“We have a plan, everyone’s very comfortable and happy with the plan,” he said at the time. “I’m excited to be ready for training camp. It’s going to be a long summer getting through it all, but I’m excited.”
Now, however, that plan looks to be taking longer than expected. And with Ellis expected to miss some or all of training camp, that likely means he’ll be out for the start of the season.
“To have an injury like he has, miss training camp, and then be ready for the regular season, I think it’s going to take some time,” Tortorella said. “I don’t want to speak for Ryan, I haven’t spoken to him in a few weeks. But I know it was up and down as far as just what he’s doing right now trying to get himself ready.”
The Flyers (25-46-11) finished last in the Metropolitan Division last season, and their 61 points were the second fewest in the Eastern Conference, ahead of the Montreal Canadiens (22-49-11).
This offseason, they acquired a defenseman Tony DeAngelo in a trade with the Carolina Hurricanes on July 8 before signing him to a two-year, $10 million contract ($5 million average annual value) three days later. Philadelphia also signed defenseman Justin Braun to a one-year, $1.79 million contract on July 13.
DeAngelo could start the season on the right side of the Flyers’ top defense pair and play on the first power play, spots Philadelphia had been hoping Ellis would fill.
“This isn’t a reoccurring injury,” Tortorella said. “He wants to get it right. You’ve got to remember what Ryan Ellis is; he’s a competitor. When he plays, he plays hard. He’s more frustrated than anybody about this, that he just hasn’t been able to get straightened out. out.”
.