Flyers' Ellis out 4-6 weeks after aggravating lower-body injury

Ryan Ellis' first season with his new team hasn't gone according to plan thus far.

The Philadelphia Flyers defenseman will miss an additional four-to-six weeks after aggravating a lower-body injury, head coach Alain Vigneault said Thursday, according to NHL.com's Adam Kimelman.

Ellis has suited up in just four of Philadelphia's 14 games this season. The 30-year-old missed nine straight contests with a lower-body injury and then returned to the lineup last Saturday before he aggravated the ailment and sat out of the team's next game.

The Flyers initially listed Ellis as week-to-week after getting re-injured.

Ellis doesn't need surgery at this point and will treat his injury through rest and rehab, said Vigneault.

In an attempt to bolster their blue line, the Flyers acquired Ellis from the Nashville Predators this past offseason for Philippe Myers and Nolan Patrick.

Ellis has been productive when healthy this season, producing a goal and four assists over four games. He's also been reliable defensively, as his expected goals against per 60 minutes at five-on-five is the best among Philadelphia defensemen, per Natural Stat Trick.