Ryan Ellis is back up with the Nashville Predators.

Ellis last played in an NHL game back on March 21. He has skated in 31 games with the Predators this season, but has only chipped in six points to go with his 44 shots.

Ryan Ellis has been sent down to AHL Milwaukee.

He was a healthy scratch for the first time this season on Saturday and demoted to the minors with Patric Hornqvist's activation from injured reserve. Ellis has six points and a minus-1 rating in 31 games.

Ryan Ellis was a healthy scratch Saturday.

Ellis is an offensive defenseman and if he is not scoring, he has little value to the Predators at this stage of his career as he is not a stellar defensive defenseman. He started off the season with four points in his first nine games but has only two in his last 22 games. Keep an eye on him for next season but it looks like this year may be a write off.

The Predators may turn to Ryan Ellis and Jonathon Blum for help on the blueline if GM David Poile can't swing a deal to strengthen his club following the free-agent loss of Ryan Suter in the off-season.

Both players are first-round selections who have struggled a bit with AHL Milwaukee this season. Ellis missed some time with a wrist injury and has just nine points in 20 games, while Blum has 12 points in 34 games and owns a minus-3 rating. If Poile can't acquire more experience then Nashville appears to be satisfied to run with Ellis and Blum. "Lately they've been playing very good in my mind, and I think in our system they should be in a good position," Poile said. "I'm pretty bullish on both of them." They should both make the team's opening roster barring something unforeseen.

Ryan Ellis registered an assist in the Milwaukee Admirals' 4-3 win over the Rockford IceHogs Friday night.

Ellis was selected 11th overall in the 2009 Entry Draft for his offensive prowess and could be a huge part of the Nashville power play when the season resumes. Ellis missed the Admirals' first 14 games due to a broken wrist but has five points in 10 games since coming back. He should be on everyone's draft list when the time comes.

Ryan Ellis needed only two games to make a splash for the AHL's Milwaukee Admirals, scoring a goal and adding an assist in Friday night's shootout loss to Peoria.

Ellis is now a +4 with 2 points in the two games since his return from a broken wrist. The injury washed away his first 14 games of the year, but Ellis is expected to take major strides in his development this season in order to help narrow the gaping hole left by Ryan Suter's departure on the Preds' blueline.

Ryan Ellis made his season debut with the Milwaukee Admirals on Tuesday.

Ellis missed the Admirals' first 14 games due to a broken wrist. He's got tremendous offensive potential, but the Nashville Predators are hoping that he'll work on his defensive game in the minors. "No question, with his size, he will have to work at that end of his game," Admirals coach Dean Evason said. "He knows how to defend. It's now a matter of defending against bigger, stronger men."

Ryan Ellis will focus on developing in the AHL for the duration of the lockout.

"Guys that have been in the league for a long time, they're going to have to sit and wait or go to a league in Europe," said Ellis. "We're going to have a chance to polish up. The AHL is going to be a great league this year." The opportunity to get big minutes in the AHL - which will feature a number of NHL veterans - could really help Ellis this season. He should continue to make significant strides forward during the lockout.

Ryan Ellis and Gabriel Bourque were notable players sent to the AHL last week by the Nashville Predators.

Defenseman Mattias Ekholm and forward prospect Austin Watson were also sent down to Milwaukee to potentially start the year in the minors because of the NHL lockout. Ellis skated in 32 games with the Predators last season and he contributed 11 points, while Bourque had 19 points in 43 appearances with the big club.

Look for Predators blueliner Ryan Ellis to have a more prominent role this season.

The team is expecting to pair Ellis with defensive-minded Hal Gill to allow him the opportunity to join the rush and contribute offense when the opportunity arises. Gill played much of last season with Roman Josi and the young blueliner took advantage of having a reliable partner. Ellis should definitely see more time with the man advantage now that Ryan Suter has left town, making him one of our favorite sleepers entering the season.