Weber not on the ice for warmups.
Expect Weber to sit out tonight's game.
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First, and most importantly, Shea Weber left the morning skate early. This rarely happens. In fact, I’ve never seen it happen. Weber was hit hard at the end of Nashville’s Friday game against Dallas, but he did speak to the media following the game.
After practice, we asked Coach Barry Trotz about Weber’s situation, and he said he hadn’t spoken yet with his trainers.
Should captain Weber not be able to play tonight, the Preds are expected to put rookie Ryan Ellis in the lineup.
Call up / Send down
It looks like Preds fans are getting a little extra Christmas present today - Ryan Ellis is on the NHL roster.
Ellis scored four goals and 17 points through his first 26 professional games. He should make his NHL debut tonight against the Red Wings.
Call up / Send down
Here is the audio from Barry Trotz's media scrum today, announcing that Ryan Ellis has been sent to Milwaukee and Kyle Wilson has been placed on waivers.
No immediate fantasy hockey value in the AHL.
Line Change
Trotz did not say, but defenseman Ryan Ellis may have played his best game of the preseason.
Ellis may have earned a roster spot with his play last night. The Freelton, ONT native scored 24 goals and 101 points in his final season with the Windsor Spitfires. If he stays on the team, look for him to help man the bottom pairing.
Line Change
Trotz liked the improvements of defenseman Ryan Ellis last night: “Ellis was 100 times better than he was in game one,” Trotz said. “He didn’t turn the puck over like he did. His first game he was a turnover machine early, then he started stabilizing. I thought he played a pretty good game.”
With Roman Josi injured, Ellis has a good chance of making the team. The former 11th overall pick scored 24 goals and a resounding 100 points last season in the OHL. He could replace Cody Franson nicely on the bottom pairing.
"We never have been an organization that will rush a guy and we like to say that they're ready when they're ready, and we'll let Ryan determine if he's ready or not."
With Francis Bouillon still injured and the departures of Cody Franson and Brett Lebda, there should be room for the blue-chipper Ellis. He will need to earn a spot over other prospects like Teemu Laaskso and Roman Josi in addition to outplaying vets like Tyler Sloan and Jack Hillen. Could be a very interesting sleeper pick in dynasty/keeper leagues.
Multiple reports indicate that the arbitration verdict is out and that Shea Weber of the Nashville Predators will receive $7.5 million for the upcoming 2011-12 season.