Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils: Patrik Elias Wants To Play One More Year

I didn't think the issue was if Elias wanted to play for the Devils but if Shero was interested in giving him a contract.

I think the chemistry he had with Zacha is cause enough for one year. Plus, a goodbye year will fill the seats.

As long as he's not playing and a player like blandisi or Boucher is scratched I'm all for it.

I think the chemistry he had with Zacha is cause enough for one year. Plus, a goodbye year will fill the seats.
- willschulme

great point. The downside is Elias will probably be very slow as the year goes on. BUT.. on the flip side.. the game will be at a slower pace for Zacha . But seriously, I think the smarts of Elias, speaking the same language, the veteran leadership and principles and all that (it's no secret Zacha looks up to Elias), I think it'll be a good thing.
I'm trying to remember if Zacha was centering Elias in the limited time they were together, or did Elias center him? or were they on opposite wings?

UUGGHHH! Looks like Patty learned from Marty and is trying to milk one more year when there's nothing left in the tank. If they keep him my over/under for games played is 28. Spend the money elsewhere Fred, please.

This guy is still in the NHL? Thought I saw him in a senior assisted living home last week

UUGGHHH! Looks like Patty learned from Marty and is trying to milk one more year when there's nothing left in the tank. If they keep him my over/under for games played is 28. Spend the money elsewhere Fred, please.
- Crushers68

This guy is still in the NHL? Thought I saw him in a senior assisted living home last week
- BringNYIhome

Not getting to many comedy gigs so your performing here now ?

UUGGHHH! Looks like Patty learned from Marty and is trying to milk one more year when there's nothing left in the tank. If they keep him my over/under for games played is 28. Spend the money elsewhere Fred, please.
- Crushers68

He
s not going to be looking for long term obviously, I don't see any harm in bringing him back. Could help Zachas game and he can still play when healthy. We had zero scoring from our bottom 6. I can think of a lot worse options than Elias as a 3rd line LW.

He
s not going to be looking for long term obviously, I don't see any harm in bringing him back. Could help Zachas game and he can still play when healthy. We had zero scoring from our bottom 6. I can think of a lot worse options than Elias as a 3rd line LW.
- smellmyfinger

I wouldn't mind him being back, but if he isn't playing up to par, I don't want him getting special treatment over someone else.

He
s not going to be looking for long term obviously, I don't see any harm in bringing him back. Could help Zachas game and he can still play when healthy. We had zero scoring from our bottom 6. I can think of a lot worse options than Elias as a 3rd line LW.
- smellmyfinger

Agree to a point, but why give up a roster spot to someone whose body has broken down?

Agree to a point, but why give up a roster spot to someone whose body has broken down?
- Crushers68

We haven't yet though so it's ok and maybe we don't sign him and things don''t work out for us at all? Like a long term injury off the bat or no one stepping up and grabbing that spot. I would rather have him around as a safety net in case we don't make the trades we want or don't sign the free agents we want. He is there and wanting to play for us. He has slowed down but I don't think he will be a liability out there, even if he isn't scoring and I know he will be slow but I doubt he will try to play a game that leaves him out of position because of foot speed. I imagine he plays a safe game and takes few risks when the time is right and maybe eat a hard minute every now and again in a tough position like holding the lead or killing a penalty.

Been watching that gongshow mini series and I think it would be unreal to land Keller in the first round, but also if we could snag Pascal Laberge in the second ( he grew on me from the show and is a lot more skill then he is anything else, something we lack ).

He
s not going to be looking for long term obviously, I don't see any harm in bringing him back. Could help Zachas game and he can still play when healthy. We had zero scoring from our bottom 6. I can think of a lot worse options than Elias as a 3rd line LW.
- smellmyfinger

Couldn't have said it any better. New Jersey needs bottom six scoring badly. Patty is not what he used to be but he can still chip in here and there. 3rd line duties for him would mean facing lesser competition and possibly grooming the next Czech super star to come out of New Jersey. I see where people are coming from in terms of not wanting to waste a roster spot or favor a guy whos better days are clearly behind him, I do, but like the guy before me said, there are much, much worse options for a 3rd line LW.

...and to the Isle fans trolling on this blog, get a life man. I know it's hard to contain your excitement given the fact that the Islanders are finally relevant again for the first time since the 80s. You worry about your team, let us worry about ours. Everyone's time eventually comes and that will include your pretty boy captain JT. Difference is, when Patty was his age he had already drank from lord Stanleys Cup. TWICE.

Couldn't have said it any better. New Jersey needs bottom six scoring badly. Patty is not what he used to be but he can still chip in here and there. 3rd line duties for him would mean facing lesser competition and possibly grooming the next Czech super star to come out of New Jersey. I see where people are coming from in terms of not wanting to waste a roster spot or favor a guy whos better days are clearly behind him, I do, but like the guy before me said, there are much, much worse options for a 3rd line LW.

...and to the Isle fans trolling on this blog, get a life man. I know it's hard to contain your excitement given the fact that the Islanders are finally relevant again for the first time since the 80s. You worry about your team, let us worry about ours. Everyone's time eventually comes and that will include your pretty boy captain JT. Difference is, when Patty was his age he had already drank from lord Stanleys Cup. TWICE.
- Youwont_noballs

This guy who's better days are behind him, is still better than the kids who's hopefully best days are in front of them. I don't want Zacha learning and developing playing with kids in the same stage of development, with presumably lower ceilings than him. I also don't want Zacha in the top 6 during development. Perfect solution is 3rd line with Elias. How broken down is his body? He got offseason surgery right? I think he knows better than anyone how broken down he is. I doubt he'd want to return if he foresaw another year like last year.

This guy who's better days are behind him, is still better than the kids who's hopefully best days are in front of them. I don't want Zacha learning and developing playing with kids in the same stage of development, with presumably lower ceilings than him. I also don't want Zacha in the top 6 during development. Perfect solution is 3rd line with Elias. How broken down is his body? He got offseason surgery right? I think he knows better than anyone how broken down he is. I doubt he'd want to return if he foresaw another year like last year.
- MartysBetter88

That's the problem, his willingness and desire to play may change his perspective on what he can bring to the team. And he's had what, 2-3 surgeries within a year. I think he could help Zacha on the 3d line, but I don't see him playing 40 games.

That's the problem, his willingness and desire to play may change his perspective on what he can bring to the team. And he's had what, 2-3 surgeries within a year. I think he could help Zacha on the 3d line, but I don't see him playing 40 games.
- Devils9503

There are so many NJ Free agents totally not worth signing that it's not like roster spots are such a precious commodity. I think the money needs to make sense and obviously it's a one year gig. Come back for 1 year and 1.5M and we are good to go. Take a chance and maybe things go well.

This guy is still in the NHL? Thought I saw him in a senior assisted living home last week
- BringNYIhome

Wow I thought most islanders fans didn't talk trash after, you know, sucking for a few decades. Learn something new every day.

That's the problem, his willingness and desire to play may change his perspective on what he can bring to the team. And he's had what, 2-3 surgeries within a year. I think he could help Zacha on the 3d line, but I don't see him playing 40 games.
- Devils9503

Look at it this way, when he is playing, he's beneficial and helps Zacha develop. If he gets injured, we bring up Q or Lappin or whoever. There's 0 risk especially considering the cap situation.

Look at it this way, when he is playing, he's beneficial and helps Zacha develop. If he gets injured, we bring up Q or Lappin or whoever. There's 0 risk especially considering the cap situation.
- willschulme

OK, OK everybody....UNCLE! I give in, you've made some good points. I agree to signing him for one year, at a reasonable cap hit, but he must accept a lesser role on the team and not expect 1st or 2nd line minutes. Because at the end of the day another 3rd liner FA may still not be as productive as Patty.

Which reminds me of a joke..Who's the only Irishman who stays out all night?.............................................................................................................................................................................Patty O'Furniture. (ba doom boom - I'm here all week folks)

Given how things have worked in the past, and it's possible they'd prove me wrong, but I'd be surprised to see Patty not get top 6 ice time.

NJ has a track record of catering to people a little too much.

I'd be very surprised, if they did re-sign him, to see him in the bottom 6.

We all know he'll be getting top 6 minutes if we're honest with ourselves.

Either way, I'd be ok with it only for the Zacha factor. If Zacha isn't in NJ next season, than Elias shouldn't be either.

With the recent success of teams departing from the traditional "top 6/bottom 6" and having success playing three scoring lines as Todd pointed out in a recent blog; coupled with the communicated eagerness for Patty to come back I think 3rd line LW would be just fine no matter who hes with.

We also will need help to hit the cap floor and even if he only played 40 games it would be better than trading for a Horton type deal and having long term impact.

The "on-ice developmental coach" aspect of him being around is also a great plus. Really, I see no downside here to bringing him back.

I also wouldn't worry about any track record of favoritism in NJ. I am pretty sure most of that left with Lou and company. These guys seem to favor former Pen players if anything so that's not going to grandfather Patty into any top 6 minutes in my opinion.

Do you think Shero will be a little salty coming into this year and be extra aggressive after watching his former group lift the cup? I do.

I could go either way on this one, but he'll likely get injured and only play 30 games.