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Philadelphia Flyers News
Ryan Ellis(RD)|PHI
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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.

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Predators Insider 2011-10-02T13:03:26.000Z
Ryan Ellis
Ryan Johansen(C)|PHI
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Line Change
Johansen looks like he's earned a spot on the opening roster anyway, but if MacKenzie isn't healthy by opening night, you can write the kid's name in today. Has he been great? No, not great. But he hasn't been overwhelmed, either. They will ease him along, but it might be time to ask for No. 19.

Johansen looks to make the team in a depth role, which should ease the blue-chip prospect in the NHL. Last season, he scored 40 goals and 92 points with the Portland Winterhawks of the WHL. He should be a key contributor to the team for years.

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Puck-Rakers Blog 2011-09-29T12:02:20.000Z
Ryan Johansen
Sean Couturier(C)|PHI
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Line Change
Couturier also could be an option after scoring 96 points in back-to-back seasons with Drummondville of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. He's excellent defensively and strong on faceoffs. With Giroux, Briere and Blair Betts locked into center spots, Couturier and Schenn could be competing for the final spot in the middle. Couturier, at 6-foot-3 and 197 pounds is big enough to play on the wing if he sticks.

Couturier has almost nothing left to prove in the QMJHL and could make the team as a third-line winger. The injury to Brayden Schenn also helps open a roster spot for the 8th overall pick.

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NHL.com 2011-09-28T13:32:30.000Z
Sean Couturier
Sean Couturier(C)|PHI
Call up / Send down
Call up / Send down
The Flyers obviously want to take a longer look at young prospects like Sean Couturier, Brayden Schenn, Matt Rears.d, Zac Rinaldo and Tom Sestito, among othe

Following back-to-back 96 point seasons in the QMJHL, Couturier has very little to prove at the Junior level. The pivot could convert into a left wing at some point this season, if he sticks with the big club.

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Broad Street Bull 2011-09-25T17:07:06.000Z
Sean Couturier
Ryan Ellis(RD)|PHI
Line Change
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.

Source:
Predators Insider 2011-09-21T19:10:14.000Z
Ryan Ellis
Sean Couturier(C)|PHI
Signing
Signing
#Flyers GM Paul Holmgren announced that the club has signed 2011 1st round pick (8th overall) Sean Couturier to an entry-level contract.

Following back-to-back 96 point seasons in the QMJHL, Couturier has very little to prove at the Junior level. The pivot could convert into a left wing at some point this season, if he sticks with the big club.

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@NHLFlyers 2011-09-21T11:14:36.000Z
Sean Couturier
Ryan Johansen(C)|PHI
None
He has an opportunity to come in and battle for a job on our hockey team, but at the same time he doesn't have to be one of our top two centers if he does make our hockey club. He's a talented kid who can play in a lot of situations.

Reports out of Columbus indicate Johansen will lead the third line as the Blue Jackets attempt to roll three scoring lines out next season. The dynamic center impressed at the recent Traverse City Prospects Tournament and should be the focus of training camp.

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NHL.com 2011-09-15T11:28:16.000Z
Ryan Johansen
Ryan Johansen(C)|PHI
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RT @NHLHotStove: Why? RT: @Aportzline #CBJ scratching C Ryan Johansen, healthy. / Want everybody to play at least twice, will go in Wed.

The Blue Jackets's top prospect was held out of yesterday's rookie tournament game as a healthy scratch. While the team remains serious about Johansen's development, they clearly are more interested in what he does in training camp; latest news listed him as the third line center.

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Aaron Portzline 2011-09-14T12:00:00.000Z
Ryan Johansen
Ryan Ellis(RD)|PHI
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"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.

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NHL.com 2011-09-13T14:17:48.000Z
Ryan Ellis
Sean Couturier(C)|PHI
None
One possible scenario if Couturier did make the squad would be to move him over to the wing, something the team has done in the past, most notably with the guy who Couturier was traded for.

Couturier remains a long-shot to make the team out of training camp but could as a winger. Interesting news as his production would certainly translate better on the wing in fantasy hockey terms.

Source:
Philly Sports Daily 2011-09-13T14:07:03.000Z
Sean Couturier