Ellis also played for the Nashville Predators, Tampa Bay Lightning, Anaheim Ducks, Carolina Hurricanes, and Florida Panthers.

In Idaho, Ellis had great success, leading the team to a Kelly Cup Championship win and nabbing the 2004 Playoff MVP award with a record of 13–0 and a 1.86 goals-against average.

He split playing time with fellow goalie Mike Smith, but ultimately lost the job as the season came to a close.

On October 25, 2007, in only his second career start, his first with the Predators—who signed him as a free agent on July 5, 2007—he won 3–0 against the Atlanta Thrashers, making 20 saves en route to his first NHL shutout.

Ellis posted impressive statistics during the 2007–2008 season, being among the top goaltenders in save percentage (1st), shutouts (T-3rd), and GAA (12th).

He earned the nickname "Snowstorm" in the spring of 2008 when the poor play of Ellis and teammate Chris Mason caused the team to call up minor-league goalie Pekka Rinne.

However, Rinne was delayed from joining the team due to a snowstorm, and Ellis was given the start in the subsequent game against the Chicago Blackhawks on March 22, 2008.

Ellis was victimized by Red Wings defenceman Nicklas Lidström's skipping shot from behind center ice for the game's first goal, which turned out to be the winner.

On June 29, 2010, Ellis' negotiation rights were traded to the Montreal Canadiens with Dustin Boyd, for Sergei Kostitsyn and future considerations.

On July 5, 2013 after a one-year stint in Carolina, Ellis re-joined his original draft team the Dallas Stars, on a two-year deal to be the back-up goalie to Kari Lehtonen, with an Average Annual Value of $900,000.