Training Camp Buzz: Ellis makes Flyers debut against Islanders

Welcome to the 2021-22 NHL training camp buzz. With training camps open for all 32 teams, NHL.com has you covered with all the latest news.

Philadelphia Flyers

Ryan Ellis is making his Flyers debut in Philadelphia's preseason opener at home against the New York Islanders on Tuesday (7 p.m. ET; NBCSP+).
The defenseman, acquired in a trade with the Nashville Predators on July 17, is playing on the top pair with Ivan Provorov. They are expected to be the top pair when the Flyers open the regular season against the Vancouver Canucks on Oct. 15.
"We're trying to get to know each other on and off the ice as much as possible," Ellis said Sunday. "I'm kind of just following him around. We're working out together, riding the bike together and obviously skating together. I just want to get to know him as a person and a player as much as possible. … I think that chemistry goes a long way when you're friends and buddies off the ice. I think it promotes good things on the ice."
Provorov, who typically is one of the earliest players to arrive at the rink, has had company each morning with Ellis.
"We show up to the rink at the same time, 2 1/2 hours before [practice]," Provorov said Monday. "We get our breakfast in, get our warmup in before the ice, all the meetings and everything. … I think he does everything well on the ice. Can't say there's anything that stands out that he can't do, and then his work ethic off the ice is awesome too, so we match up really well on and off the ice." -- Adam Kimelman

Washington Capitals

Lars Eller participated in a full practice Tuesday after the center left early Monday with a lower-body injury.
"Nothing serious," he said. "I just felt yesterday I started to feel something that kind of got worse during practice. So just to be safe I went off and today I felt fine again. So just a little precaution to make sure."
Eller missed time with injuries to each of his groin muscles last season, so he chose not to push anything Monday after playing in a 3-2 shootout loss to the Boston Bruins in Washington's preseason opener Sunday. Eller said he knows the importance of remaining healthy, particularly with center Nicklas Backstrom week to week with a hip injury and appearing less likely to be ready to play in the regular-season opener against the New York Rangers on Oct. 13.
"I think we are prepared to be without Nick for a little bit," Eller said. "I won't be surprised if he's not ready. So I'd love to have him back and we'll be better when he is going to come back, but until then I'll be happy to try to keep his seat warm and fill his shoes and I look forward to that challenge." -- Tom Gulitti

Buffalo Sabres

Jack Quinn is making his NHL preseason debut for the Sabres at the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday.
"I think it'll just be cool to kind of be in that atmosphere and see what it's like," the 20-year-old rookie forward said. "I think at the end of the game, all of us playing our first game will have some more experience and that'll help us wherever we play this year."
Quinn scored nine points (two goals, seven assists) in 15 games last season for Rochester of the American Hockey League. During the offseason, he had surgery to repair a hernia that cut short his first professional season.
The No. 8 pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, Quinn will play right wing on a line with center Dylan Cozens, the No. 7 pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, and left wing
JJ Peterka
, the No. 34 pick in 2020.
"It's exciting to think we have three very talented, young players like that in our organization," coach Don Granato said. "And I say talented and skilled, not yet experienced. They're just going to gain experience in every situation. … They're going to have to gain that experience on their own, and similar tonight with them. There's certainly things they can do from a skill standpoint. I don't think anybody would be surprised if they scored, but there's a lot of details that I think they're going to pick up on just by playing together." -- Heather Engel