A source has told me that Dan Ellis fully expects to be traded and that the Preds would not be getting a goalie in return but would bring up prospect Pekka Rinne to back up Chris Mason.
Another source close to the team said that this idea did seem feasible because they've heard that the Preds are eager to get Pekka up to the show.
Not sure who the dance partner would be but you have to assume that it's a team looking for a solid back and maybe even someone who can shoulder the load full time. I wonder if Atlanta or Tampa Bay could be interested...the goalie situations in both cities leave much to be desired.
If the Preds are confident in Pekka I can see why they would do this. Ellis has impressed this season posting a 13-5-2 record with a 2.31 GAA and .921 SV%...these numbers have not gone unnoticed to the rest of the league. The Preds only signed him to a one year deal and he will be expecting to get a nice raise over the 500k he is earning this year.
I, for one, would be terribly upset to see Ellis go. I think he has a bright future in this league and I wish we could see him develop into that night in and night out go to guy.
What are your thoughts? Do you like this move? Let me hear your opinions on this.
I will let you know if I hear any further developments on this front.
If NSH gets Hossa then it would be worth it. Heck, I would even throw Hammy in as a bonus. I know Pekka, has had some injuries in the past, but nothing that would stop him from coming up. At the beginning of the year I was hoping he would be Mason's backup but Ellis beat him out somehow. I say go for it! only if we get Hossa in a long term deal.
Your a loser!
blueshirts...I must say that is a thoughtful and compelling post. Care to elaborate?
Interesting take Joe... considering the rumors swirling...BTW... good to meet you last night!
I'll second the "interesting" comment. If you ever plan on coming down to P McCann's ice level perch, let me know as I sit down low in 107. It's time to meet some fellow HB'rs. (I plan on going up top one game soon to see Brandon.)
Not so sure who or what blueshirts4c was referring to, but it matters not. Apparently he's just a troll with poor grammar
I've been partial to Ellis since the season started and I'd hate to see him go, but it's going to happen eventually.
Whould love to see this happen. Hate to lose Ellis but it is a compliment to him to be traded for such a good player. Hey lets throw in deVries as well. He knows his way back there.
Well Fever, even though I haven't singled out deVries for much criticism (at least not until last night), I got a hoot out of your new (and probably temporary) avatar. Hah! My complaint with Greg at the start of the season was that I thought we were paying him way too much. Since then, I have gone from cool to luke-warm and (again, after last night), back to cool.
Losing Ellis would be sad, but adding a player like Hossa would give us that much needed scoring punch!
Just to let some of you know (blueline) I'm actually going to meet some of the Preds message boards folk tomorrow as I'll go down to the aisle of 102/103 at pregame skate. So, if anyone that doesn't sit in 300's normally wants to meet me that's a good chance I guess. I know I'd love to put faces with screen names...
Ellis for Raycroft!
I definitely think one of the goalies has to go. Mason is good and is turning it on, Ellis has been spectacular as of late, and Pekka has a lot of upside. That's just too much wealth, kinda like our D-man situation. Personally I think I'd rather see Mason go, honestly, but that's just unrealistic with his contract and record. Pekka is too much of an unknown to the rest of the league. So that leaves Ellis as a cheap contract with tons of upside. If that's what it takes to go far in the playoffs for years to come, OK.