'Time for a change to our core': Nashville Predators deal Ryan Ellis to Philadelphia Flyers

Change is not being spared by Nashville Predators general manager David Poile this offseason.

Poile dealt defenseman Ryan Ellis to the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday for defenseman Philippe Myers and Nolan Patrick, the No. 2 pick in the 2017 NHL Draft. The Predators then sent Patrick to the Vegas Golden Knights for prospect Cody Glass, who was picked sixth in 2017 as the franchise's first draft choice.

"We felt it was time for a change to our core this offseason, and we are really excited to add an influx of youth, size and skill into the lineup with these additions,” Poile said in a team release.

"At the same time, we will miss Ryan Ellis’ leadership, dedication and work ethic in our locker room."

The Predators picked Ellis 11th overall in the 2009 draft. The 30-year-old had 75 goals and 185 assists in 562 regular-season games spanning 10 seasons with Nashville.

The move came a little more than two weeks after forward Viktor Arvidsson was traded to the Los Angeles Kings.

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Much like Arvidsson, Ellis has had his share of injuries of late. He missed 41 games during the last two seasons. He took an elbow to the head from Corey Perry during the Winter Classic against the Dallas Stars in 2020 that sidelined him for a chunk of that.

Ellis, an associate captain with six years and $37.5 million remaining on his contract, was a $6.25 million cap hit. Arvidsson has three years left on his deal, at a $4.25 million annual hit.

"We’ve had a long time interest in Ryan Ellis," Flyers general manager Chuck Fletcher said in a team release. "We were looking for help on the blue line in the offseason and during the season. ... It’s a good fit for our team. We paid a price but it’s hard to get defensemen like this."

Glass, 22, is a 6-foot-2, 185-pound center who has nine goals and 13 assists in 66 NHL games. Myers, 24, is a 6-5, 209-pounder who has appeared in 115 NHL games.

The moves leave the Predators with nearly $30 million in cap space. That money could go toward signing left wing Filip Forsberg and defenseman Mattias Ekholm to contract extensions.

Reach Paul Skrbina at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @PaulSkrbina.