Patrik Elias appreciation thread

[Sir Fenwick Corsi]

Patty will be back next year so him being upstaged today isn't a big deal to me. Tomorrow is not his last game as a Devil.

I'm with you on this one. I really can't see him going out on a season like this where he barely even had a chance to play. We'll have room on the roster and I really can't see why he can't accomplish a mini resurgence sort of like what Petr Sykora pulled in 2011 - 2012. This is going to be a young team that could use veteran leadership.

Stevens, Brodeur and Daneyko, we all know their place in this franchise's history, but you can really make a solid argument that Elias is the ultimate Devil. He deserves to go out on his own terms.

 

[NJDevs26]

They finally gave Vasquez the password for the Fire and Ice blog, he put up a post on Elias:

http://fireandice.northjersey.com/f...is-relationship-with-lou-lamoriello-1.1541676

“Honestly, I don’t think it’s going to be different than any other game,” Elias said. “If it’s going to end up being it, then it’s going to end up being it. But I’m not going into the game thinking that way.”

“It’s going to be a tough decision,” Hynes said. “Because if you look at it, what you clearly see still is hockey sense, that ability to make plays, hands and he knows the game. His body is coming back, but it wasn’t like he had a full summer’s worth of training, so I think when you see what he can bring talent wise — you can see that — and then how his body handles a full hard summer of training. So he’s a heck of a player, I think he continues to show that, even in adverse situations like he is now.”

 

[Emperoreddy]

He is coming back barring an offseason injury.

 

[devilsblood]

Count me in on one who wants Patty back next year.

While the #'s look tight at C and LW, given the youth movement, there could certainly be a role for Elias veteran presence.

And I know things are looking much more positive regarding our young fwd's, exciting stuff, but I was into the slow cooking theme that was talked about earlier in the year. Yeah when the need arises if those guys(say Wood's and Q) are ripping up Albany, then bring them up, but if my options are Q in the NHL or Elias on the Dev's and Q starting the year in Albany, I think I choose the latter.

 

[SeidoN]

They finally gave Vasquez the password for the Fire and Ice blog, he put up a post on Elias:

http://fireandice.northjersey.com/f...is-relationship-with-lou-lamoriello-1.1541676

dumbchere123

 

[NJDevs26]

Count me in on one who wants Patty back next year.

While the #'s look tight at C and LW, given the youth movement, there could certainly be a role for Elias veteran presence.

And I know things are looking much more positive regarding our young fwd's, exciting stuff, but I was into the slow cooking theme that was talked about earlier in the year. Yeah when the need arises if those guys(say Wood's and Q) are ripping up Albany, then bring them up, but if my options are Q in the NHL or Elias on the Dev's and Q starting the year in Albany, I think I choose the latter.

I think given Blandisi's dropoff the last several weeks there's definitely an opening on 3LW for next year, although Zacha could fill that he could also fill the 3C void too. At worst you have Blandisi around as a caddy down in Albany for if/when Patty gets hurt again.

 

[glenwo2]

Have to bump this one final time.

Nice way for Patty to go out with a goal and 2 helpers.

 

[Devils Trap]

Patty just said he wants to be back

"With all these young guys, I hope they can fit one more old guy on the team next year"

GET ER DONE RAY

 

[Oneiro]

Who else will say, after a win, "Yeah, that was nice, but we can't play every game that way or we won't go very far"...

Always honest, never sugarcoated things. Never melodramatic. The right way from day one. So grateful I got to see this guy play for his whole career. One of the smartest I've ever seen in my lifetime.

 

[HobokenIrish]

Really hope he is back next year.

If he wants to come back I really feel he has earned the right

 

[MadDevil]

Who else will say, after a win, "Yeah, that was nice, but we can't play every game that way or we won't go very far"...

Always honest, never sugarcoated things. Never melodramatic. The right way from day one. So grateful I got to see this guy play for his whole career. One of the smartest I've ever seen in my lifetime.

Which is exactly why I think he's still got a little left in the tank. He can't move like he used to, but he's still got the smarts to help this team next year.

 

[Devils Dominion]

Story book

 

[glenwo2]

IF Shero decides to give him another season here, he'll be an excellent tutor for Zacha whenever he gets another call-up.

But I really believe next season(if he is brought back) will indeed be his swan song with the Devils and his career if it doesn't end here.

 

[BenedictGomez]

Patty just said he wants to be back

"With all these young guys, I hope they can fit one more old guy on the team next year"

GET ER DONE RAY

Well, that's what they always say, but I sure hope it's true.

Dont want another Brodeur situation.

 

[Emperoreddy]

Well, that's what they always say, but I sure hope it's true.

Dont want another Brodeur situation.

He definitely wants to play, but he really does seem like he wants to come back here and be apart of this.

He certainly looked like he was having fun with Zacha.

 

[Classic Devil]

Elias would be good veteran leadership. Without him there's no former cup winner on the team.

 

[ForeverJerseyGirl]

Patty had a great game and the crowd showed their love for him. Lots of applause and "Patty" chants that he deserves whether it's his last game or not. He is still so smart and skilled out there, and young guys could learn a lot from him. I hope Shero is willing to re-sign him if Patty feels up to it, but if this was Patty's last game, it was a fitting one. Love you, Patty, whether or not this is the end of your playing days, and if it is the end of your playing days, I will find a way to be there when they lift your jersey to the rafters. What a skilled, smart team player. Can't say enough good things about you.

 

[NJDevs26]

Well, that's what they always say, but I sure hope it's true.

Dont want another Brodeur situation.

Marty clearly gave out passive-agressive signals throughout the season he was done here and obviously didn't want to be a backup. With Patty it's been different and he's been consistent from day one wanting to be a part of the rebuilding/turnaround which is part of why I want him back. He's 39, done everything in hockey, probably already had a HOF-worthy career (though he might not get in, at least not right away) and yet he still relishes being a guy that can help the next generation. That kind of leadership and character can't be overlooked.

The key is can he physically do it? I do believe whether we bring him back will be entirely based on that, unless he's willing to pull a Sykora and just sign a PTO and go for close to vet minimum. I get the reasons not to bring him back but honestly people are overlooking the reasons TO bring him back. It wouldn't cost a lot, he wouldn't have to get a prime (top six) spot, he wouldn't keep Boucher or anyone else this side of Blandisi (who is waiver exempt for another year) from playing - at least until he or Camm got hurt, and he would be a legit great mentor for Zacha.

 

[Better Call Sal]

 

[Emperoreddy]

It sounds like this really depends on how Patty's body feels, and what the doctors say.

His post game he is sounding optimistic about his recovery from this knee injury.

IDK I just don't see a situation where Patty thinks he can play and is medically healthy and Shero doesn't offer him a contract.

 

[NJDevs26]

It sounds like this really depends on how Patty's body feels, and what the doctors say.

His post game he is sounding optimistic about his recovery from this knee injury.

IDK I just don't see a situation where Patty thinks he can play and is medically healthy and Shero doesn't offer him a contract.

That's one I'm wary about though (and why I'm fine with waiting till August if not later)...Patty generally tells the truth but Patty also said going into THIS year his knee felt better than it had in years, then he proceeded to only play 15 games.

 

[MadDevil]

At least with Patty we can hide him in the lineup if things don't work out, and I don't think he'll get boo boo faced about it. With Marty, it was pretty much an impossible situation given his position and ego.

 

[Bleedred]

At least with Patty we can hide him in the lineup if things don't work out, and I don't think he'll get boo boo faced about it. With Marty, it was pretty much an impossible situation given his position and ego.

Yeah I'm definitely more warmed up to taking him back then Marty. I didn't want Marty back under any circumstances at all after 13-14. Earlier in the year I would have accepted him back in a backup role, but after January to season's end, I knew it wouldn't work out and he wouldn't accept it. And he'd probably wind up playing more games than he should again.

So I'd take Patty back, because you can always bury him on a lower line and he isn't the most important position on the ice.

 

[Bleedred]

Elias would be good veteran leadership. Without him there's no former cup winner on the team.

We can always bring back Tyler Kennedy if that's what we want!

 

[Emperoreddy]

I mean I think the only thing that will drag Patty's play down is reaggravating his knee, and at that point he will sit.

I don't forsee a situation where Hynes or Patty force himself to play when he isn't healthy.

In which case someone like Blender or Wood would come up and play in his spot. Despite the many suggestions in the offseason thread. I don't see us making any major plays for another LW. I think Shero has every intention to have the kids fight it out for these spots. I think there is confidence in both Boosh and Blender. I think they are bullish on Zacha, and we have wild cards in JQ and Wood.