Predators' Ryan Ellis ready to return to lineup

Assuming he doesn't suffer a setback before tonight, it's looking more and more like defenseman Ryan Ellis will return to the Predators' lineup against Minnesota.

Ellis hasn't played since Jan. 8, missing the team's past 21 contests with a lower-body injury. He's still on injured reserve but has been skating with the team for several days.

At Thursday's morning skate, Preds defenseman Victor Bartley was on the ice for a lengthy time, which usually means a player isn't in the game that night. His departure from the lineup would open a spot for Ellis.

After the morning skate, Predators coach Peter Laviolette and Ellis both said no decision had been made. But Ellis said he feels ready and would love to be back in the lineup.

Assuming Ellis does return tonight, he'll likely be paired with Seth Jones. Both players are right-handed shots, but Jones has some experience on the left side, so he'll move over.

Ellis and Jones haven't spent a great deal of time as a defensive pairing this year, but they have played together at times – such as on the power play and late in games when Nashville has needed offense.

"Seth is a great player, he moves the puck really well and he skates really well," Ellis said. "He's got a great head on his shoulders. … It's more or less just getting used to two righties out there, but other than that, it should just take us a couple of games to get comfortable."

At the time of his injury, Ellis had posted 18 points (five goals, 13 assists) in 40 games. But he knows it will be a challenge getting his conditioning back after missing close to two months.

"Nothing is like playing a game," Ellis said. "You can run, ride a bike and do everything to try to keep you up to speed. But there's nothing that is going to prepare you like a game would. More or less, when I get out there, it's just taking it slow and kind of not overstepping anything, not forcing anything and keeping it simple the first couple games."