Coming off off-season shoulder surgery, Ellinas made his season debut November 7 and even scored in his first weekend back. Unfortunately, six games later, a dislocated shoulder sustained against the Ottawa 67’s sent him back for another shoulder surgery – this time on his other shoulder – with a return timeline of four to five months. The Rangers are optimistic about a playoff return, but given the potential for Kitchener to go deep this year, there is a reasonable argument that resting, training and entering next season fully healthy would serve his long-term development better than rushing back. The underlying profile remains intact. Ellinas is a center with size who signed a three-year ELC off the back of a standout 2025 OHL playoff run with 16 points in 14 games. It will be interesting to see where he lands after what has effectively been a lost 2025-2026 season.

The Ottawa Senators signed Elinas to a three-year, entry-level contract on May 20, 2025.

Ellinas has had a solid second season in the OHL. In 50 games played this year, the Senators’ fourth-round draft pick in 2024 has 20 goals and 17 assists for 37 points. He missed some time in January and February due to injury. He possesses a strong shot with a quick release. He plays well down low and along the boards and is very positionally sound on both ends of the ice. Ellinas has the projections of a bottom-six center/winger at the NHL level.

In the 2025 OHL playoffs, Ellinas stepped up offensively in Kitcheners’ 14 postseason games. He produced 16 points (eight goals and eight assists), leading his team in all three categories.

The 2024-25 season was Ellinas’ second with the Rangers. In 117 career regular-season Ontario Hockey League games, he has 70 points (36 goals and 34 assists). His offensive explosion shows signs that a young forward can step up offensively in high-pressure, meaningful games. Ellinas is not worth adding in dynasty leagues yet, but he is worth watching in 2025-26 to see if he builds on his 2025 playoff run.