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Arizona Coyotes Should Trade For D-man Ryan Ellis

By William Grigsby |

The right-hand shooting defenseman can be acquired by the Arizona Coyotes for a low price

Ryan Ellis of the Nashville Predators would be a good addition to the blue-line of the Arizona Coyotes. It’s no secret that GM Don Maloney has made it known that he is still looking for that #1 blue-line pairing partner for Oliver Ekman-Larsson.

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Ryan Ellis is under contract for the next four seasons at $2.5 million a year, right in line with Maloney’s budget of $2-3M. What that means is a trade would need to be done. Nashville has tons of defensive talent including: Shea Weber, Roman Josi, Seth Jones, Mattias Ekholm, along with Ellis. They could use some scoring talent to improve their team, and guess who has lots of young, promising forward prospects? That would be the Arizona Coyotes.

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While Ryan Ellis is still young (24), he is on the verge becoming a top-line blue-liner. He doesn’t exactly possess overwhelming size at 5’ 10”, 178 lbs, but he was exceptional in the OHL. We all know how Maloney likes OHL players.

In the four years Ellis was on the Windsor Spitfires he put up 314 points in 226 games, AS A DEFENSEMAN. If he were given more ice-time he could show off the power play skills he possesses. He is an excellent passer, and has a great shot from the point. He also is skilled at shot blocking.

With Gordon, Michalek, and Ellis blocking shots, Smith could get a reprieve most nights from getting blasted with 30-35 shots a game.

He was the Predators 11th overall pick in 2009, and would be a quality defenseman if the Coyotes can work a deal. Oh yeah, this is where I give you my idea of who the Coyotes could trade to get this player, right?

Let’s see… Nashville needs forwards who can score, and the Arizona Coyotes have quite the list of players in that category. Who comes to mind is Christian Dvorak, but I’m not in favor losing him.

I think the Arizona Coyotes offense should be much improved this upcoming season, they just need to address the defensive liabilities they had last season.

Another option would be to give up Christian Fischer, who the Coyotes just drafted at the 32nd pick and/or Lucas Lessio. The Yotes could also give up a draft pick to sweeten the deal.

I would even be open to trading Gormley, if the Predators were interested. I really want Gormley to succeed this year, but he was a 2010 draft choice who just hasn’t made an impression enough to break into the defensive rotation.

In any case, I suppose I just lost hope that GM Don Maloney will go out there and sign Cody Franson. He may not be done dealing, but things have really slowed down on the trade market of late.

I just think Franson is a talented, huge blue-liner who could really help the Arizona Coyotes.

Here’s Ellis in action: 

I’d still pursue Ryan Ellis if at all possible. He seems like a good fit to me.

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