According to coach John Hynes, Ellis (concussion) could return to action Friday against the Blackhawks, Brooks Bratten of the Predators' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ellis skated on Nashville's top pairing and second power-play unit during Thursday's practice, which was the first sign that he might be an option against Chicago. Another update on the 29-year-old blueliner's status should surface following Friday's morning skate.

Ellis (upper body) practiced with his teammates Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Ellis has been skating on his own for a week now, and he's now made his next step in recovery. The 29-year-old will travel with the team but isn't expected to play on the team during its four-game road trip, which wraps up Feb. 10 against the Canucks. There's a top-four role waiting for Ellis when he returns, as he's stacked up 28 points through 39 games prior to injury.

Ellis (upper body) skated for the first time Tuesday but has yet to rejoin the team for practice. Coach John Hynes told reporters, "He skated a little bit on his own yesterday, so he's progressing. Slowly, but he is progressing. I think yesterday might have been the first time he skated," Tom Gulitti of NHL.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Considering Ellis has only just gotten back on the ice and isn't cleared to practice yet, fantasy owners can probably consider him week-to-week. The blueliner has already missed the Predators' previous nine games and remains without a clear timeline to return. Yannick Weber and Dante Fabbro should benefit the most in terms of ice time with Ellis on the shelf.

Ellis (upper body) didn't skate with the team Sunday, Adam Vingan of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

There's still no clear timeline on Ellis' recovery, but he'll likely need at least another week since he's not on the ice yet. For the time being, Yannick Weber is expected to work on the top pairing with Roman Josi.

Coach John Hynes said there's still no definitive timeline on Ellis (upper body), Brooks Bratten of the Predators' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ellis has been out since taking a hard hit to the game from Corey Perry -- who was suspended five games for the collision -- on Jan. 1. He won't start skating until after the All-Star break at the earliest. Matt Irwin and Yannick Weber will stay in the lineup until Ellis can return.

The Predators placed Ellis (upper body) on injured reserve Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Ellis was on the receiving end of a vicious elbow to the head from Dallas' Corey Perry during Wednesday's Winter Classic and will be sidelined for a minimum of three games as a result. Nashville recalled Alexandre Carrier in a corresponding move to fill in on the back end until Ellis is ready to return.

Ellis exited Wednesday's Winter Classic against the Stars with an upper-body injury, Brooks Bratten of the Predators' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ellis took an elbow to the head from Corey Perry, who was handed a game misconduct for the hit. The NBC broadcast reported that Ellis won't return. The 28-year-old is having a career year with 28 points through 38 games. He'll aim to get healthy for Saturday's clash against the Kings.

Ellis tallied two assists, including one with the man advantage, in a 5-4 loss to Ottawa.

EDGE Analysis

Rarely a threat to score, Ellis has been an assist machine this season. The top-pairing, power-play quarterback defenseman has found the helper column 22 times across 34 games this season. While it came in a loss, Ellis' two points Thursday give him three straight games of such production. He also finished with a game-high five blocked shots.

Ellis had two assists with three shots and added two blocks and two hits in Tuesday's 8-3 win over the Islanders.

EDGE Analysis

Ellis drew the primary assist on each of Nashville's final two goals as the Predators erased a 3-1 deficit with seven unanswered. In his last two games, Ellis has a goal and three assists with a plus-5 rating. The 28-year-old is enjoying a typically strong season, having amassed five goals and 20 assists with a plus-13 rating in 33 games.

Ellis scored an empty-net goal and added an assist in Monday's 5-2 win over the Rangers.

EDGE Analysis

He also racked up five blocked shots, two shots on goal, two PIM, a hit and a plus-3 rating on the night. It's his first multi-point performance since Oct. 19, but Ellis hasn't been slacking over the last eight weeks -- the veteran defenseman has a solid five goals and 23 points through 32 games, putting him on pace for a career-best campaign.