NICK OF TIME
By Lowetide
7 years ago
Among the most encouraging (but obscure) positives down on the farm is goaltender Nick Ellis. He is from Millersville, Maryland, which is a Babe Ruth big fly from Baltimore. He was—perhaps—a victim of the ”So what?” game during training camp and preseason, as there were other prospects to observe. Preseason is over, the regular season is underway. For Nick Ellis, the numbers are there in the early days.
SO WHAT?
- Nick Ellis was part of Providence’s NCAA National Championship team in 2014-15. So what? Jon Gillies was the No. 1 goalie, and Ellis played just five games. He was miles away in save percentage (.930 to .910) and was not a major player.
- Source
Nick Ellis posted single-season bests in GAA (1.80) and save percentage (.936) in Providence College program history in 2015-16. That number ranks third nationally. So what? Well, Providence College was a different team in 2015-16, losing some talented players (Jon Gillies, Noel Acciari) and adding others of note. My own feeling on Ellis is that we simply didn’t have enough track—he passed on his senior season to sign with Edmonton—and needed to rely on scouting reports.
- NCAA career: 48gp, 1.90, .931
- Chris Dilks: Ellis spent the past two seasons waiting in the wings behind superstar
goalie Jon Gillies at Providence. But this year, as the team’s top
goalie, he’s been able to shine. Ellis brings a good mix of size and
athleticism and has been very effective in net all season. Source
PRE-SEASON AND COMPETITION
- Nick Ellis: “You just to work as hard as you can every day, put
your best foot forward every day, work hard and compete. It’s definitely
a little bit faster (pro vs. NCAA). Guys shoot a little bit faster, the
passes are harder, so you have to make sure you are set, quick, and
explosive. I worked out really hard (this summer) because I knew that
Edmonton really focused on off-ice, and on the ice, just doing the small
details that will make a big difference.” Source
During training camp (Edmonton and Bakersfield), it wasn’t certain who would play behind Laurent Brossoit—Ellis, or Eetu Laurikainen. The Finn was sent to Norfolk of the ECHL, and Ellis moved up the pro depth chart before playing a game of pro hockey.
THE ROOKIE GOALIES, AHL
Ellis has posted two very strong games (.968 and .932) and two lesser games (.889 and .906), but has not posted any truly poor games. His is an older prospect (turns 23 in January) and should emerge quickly in pro hockey. His current AHL numbers are very good but these are early days.
Laurent Brossoit is the de facto No. 1 and Edmonton’s top prospect. His SP currently (also in four games) is .925—in the same range, and a good number. The Oilers value Brossoit and it would surprise no one to see him in Edmonton by the end of this season (although Jonas Gustavsson helped his cause with an impressive first start in Detroit yesterday).
REAL DEPTH?
Cam Talbot and Jonas Gustavsson are playing well in the NHL, and Brossoit-Ellis is doing well in Bakersfield. If all four men perform at current levels, fans will be witness to the first truly balanced pro goalie roster in memory.
It is unlikely—Murphy’s Law loves screwing around with the goalie depth chart—and all we have is early indications. Nick Ellis is extremely unlikely to get NHL time this season, and the goofy AHL schedule for Pacific Division teams delivers only 68 games. Ellis may get (at most) 25 chances to impress as a rookie pro. He has done well in his first sorties. We wait. Photo by Mark Williams.
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