Ellis (knee) was a participant in practice Monday, Brooks Bratten of the Predators' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ellis was expected to practice Monday, so this comes as no surprise. If his knee responds positively, expect the 26-year-old defenseman to play Tuesday against the Golden Knights.

Ellis (knee) is scheduled to practice in full Monday before a determination is made on his availability for Tuesday's home clash with the Wild, Thomas Willis of the Predators' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

This plan originated from Predators GM David Poile, who discussed Ellis' progress on 104-5 The Zone, a radio show covering the Nashville market. Ellis shed his no-contact sweater over a week ago, and he could be ready right from the start of the new year. Fantasy owners should consider dropping a lesser defenseman for the man who added 38 points (including 11 on the power play) to complement 137 blocked shots in 71 games last season.

Ellis (knee) wasn't wearing a non-contact jersey during Wednesday's practice, Thomas Willis of the Predators' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Being cleared for contact obviously marks a huge step forward in Ellis' recovery, and indicates he could be on track for a return to game action in early January. The 26-year-old blueliner's owners should plan on slotting him into their lineups as soon as he's given the green light, as he was quite productive last season, notching 16 goals and 38 points in 71 contests.

Ellis stuck around for morning skate Thursday for the first time since undergoing a procedure on his knee in June, Brooks Bratten of the Predators' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ellis' timetable hasn't been pushed up to this point, but it's certainly an encouraging sign and a step in the right direction in his recovery. The blueliner has been sorely missed in the early portions of the 2017-18 campaign, but he is expected to rejoin the fold at some point in January.

Ellis (knee) will miss the first half of the season and is not expected back until January, according to general manager David Poile.

EDGE Analysis

If any team could weather the storm of losing one of its top-pairing defenseman -- its Nashville. While replacing Ellis's 16 goals and 22 assists is no easy task, the Preds still have Roman Josi, P.K. Subban, Mattias Ekholm and new addition Alexei Emelin. Perhaps the biggest beneficiary of the 26-year-old Ontario native's absence is probably Alexandre Carrier, who could earn a spot on the 23-man roster coming out of training camp.

Ellis recently underwent knee surgery and GM David Poile is hopeful that he'll be prepared for training camp.

EDGE Analysis

The prolific two-way rearguard sustained an upper-body injury against the Penguins during the Stanley Cup Finals, but there hadn't been any talk of a knee issue for Ellis, therefore, we shouldn't assume the two ailments are related. Assuming he makes a full recovery, fantasy owners should still feel confident drafting the burgeoning defenseman, as he's coming off a career year (38 points in 71 games) and his average ice time rose for the third consecutive season -- all the way to 23:57 in 2016-17.

Ellis (upper body) is in the lineup for Game 6 against Pittsburgh on Sunday, Kevin Allen of USA Today reports.

EDGE Analysis

In case there was any doubt left, the Preds' rearguard is, indeed, good to go for Sunday's elimination game. Ellis only played 10:44 in Game 5 before departing, but he's chosen to tough out whatever injury he's dealing with to try to help the team stave off elimination and force a deciding Game 7 back in Pittsburgh. He's slated to skate on the team's top defensive pairing and power-play unit, though both of those assignments could change based on his health.

Ellis (upper body) took rushes on the top line with Roman Josi during Sunday's pregame warmups, meaning he will likely play Game 6 against the Penguins.

EDGE Analysis

There is still a chance that Ellis could be scratched at the last moment and we will be sure to update his status if he is, but with the Predators' season and a chance at the Stanley Cup on the line, it seems as though their top defenseman will gut it out to stay in the line up Sunday. Ellis will look to pick up his game after posting two points and a minus-2 rating in the first five games of the series.

Ellis (upper body) didn't take part in the team's optional morning skate after skating on his own prior to Sunday's tilt, Tom Gulitti of NHL.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ellis reportedly couldn't put much power behind his shot while solo skating. Early indications on his status for Game 6 don't appear promising, but an official update on his status should arrive closer to the opening face-off. If he can't go, Anthony Bitetto would be the likely candidate to take his place in the lineup.

Updating a previous report, Ellis (upper body) is now considered probable for Sunday's Game 6 against the Penguins, Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ellis missed Saturday's morning skate, so he's clearly still dealing with the effects of the upper-body ailment that knocked him out of Game 5, but he's evidently expected to play through the pain in Sunday's must-win Game 6. The Predators will need all the help they can get on the back end in order to have any shot at forcing a Game 7. The Penguins potted six goals in Thursday's landslide victory.