60 replies to this topic

[elias2600]

elias is not overpaid. that is all I will say about it.

[SteveStevens]

Everyperson who joined this site int he past 2 weeks suggest trading Elias, for a number of reasons thats a no. His contract is alot more valuable, hes playing for less than people of his calibar are playing. Hes a leader, he loyal to Lou, theres no reason to trade him.

[SatansDevils]

Um No, No and NO. Elias' contract is just fine. He will be better this season. He has to be.

[SteveStevens]

Elias isnt going anywhere, his contract is fine, he knows how to play. Notice his numbers were down but so was the entire lines, Gomez, Gionta all had numbers less than where they should be. With the new energy Zubrus and Gionta healthy we could look for better numbers and if anything to think if Elias is underpaid.

[jsonnabend]

I think the Elias question is one of the more interesting ones. Good fodder for discussion, Crasher (and this is a discussion forum, isn't it?).

To me Elias is an enigma. He led the team in points last year with some pretty good numbers, and the party line is he's the "obvious choice" for captain as far as the players are concerned.

Even with all that said, every time I watched him he seemed too pretty with the puck, tried to do too much, and was afraid to shoot far too often. He rarely made franchise-player type moves with the puck. Above all, he never seemed to inspire much from his fellow players, although I'm not sure how I'm judging that.

So what's the bottom line? Do his points tell the real story, or are they misleading?

- Jeff

[SteveStevens]

The players like him, he dosent talk much but when he dose talk, the team listens. Marty is the captian of the team really but because he is a goalie he can be because he wouldnt be able to get over to the refs fast enough thne go back to net. Elias is an even tempered guy and will do the best for his players and keep his team in line. No, he is not Scott Stevens type captian material but youre underrating him.

[jsonnabend]

The players like him, he dosent talk much but when he dose talk, the team listens. Marty is the captian of the team really but because he is a goalie he can be because he wouldnt be able to get over to the refs fast enough thne go back to net. Elias is an even tempered guy and will do the best for his players and keep his team in line. No, he is not Scott Stevens type captian material but youre underrating him.

And how do you know all that? How do you know, for instance, "the team listens"?

He certainly wasn't able to motivate them against Ottawa (or motivate himself) as far as I could see.

Not trying to fight or flame, I just don't understand how any of us on the outside can make those kind of statements.

- Jeff

Edited by jsonnabend, 13 July 2007 - 07:52 PM.

[Martyisth3b3st]

The players like him, he dosent talk much but when he dose talk, the team listens. Marty is the captian of the team really but because he is a goalie he can be because he wouldnt be able to get over to the refs fast enough thne go back to net. Elias is an even tempered guy and will do the best for his players and keep his team in line. No, he is not Scott Stevens type captian material but youre underrating him.

Cap'n Pat is getting paid just the right amount. Next year he will prove himself, don't anyone worry. A full year of captancy and an offseason to shoulder the burden is exactly what he needs.

[Triumph]

I think the Elias question is one of the more interesting ones. Good fodder for discussion, Crasher (and this is a discussion forum, isn't it?).

To me Elias is an enigma. He led the team in points last year with some pretty good numbers, and the party line is he's the "obvious choice" for captain as far as the players are concerned.

Even with all that said, every time I watched him he seemed too pretty with the puck, tried to do too much, and was afraid to shoot far too often. He rarely made franchise-player type moves with the puck. Above all, he never seemed to inspire much from his fellow players, although I'm not sure how I'm judging that.

So what's the bottom line? Do his points tell the real story, or are they misleading?

- Jeff

Elias quietly filed a million-dollar lawsuit against his old agents after the season. I think that coupled with the natural lull that comes after having a season like he had in 05-06 and a generally inert year for the Devils (last year in the building) reflected in his performance.

Elias got the best years out of Jason Arnott and Petr Sykora - they all got the best years out of each other. Patrik was the one worth keeping around, and it seems like Lou made the right decision. The odd thing about Patrik is that he can't be tabbed a shoot-first or pass-first kind of player - too often last year he became a pass-first player. He didn't seem mentally right all season, and he, Gomez, and Gionta didn't seem to quite get things going until the playoffs. I think it's unfair to criticize his playoff performance - but I do think Elias's struggles this year made his leadership ineffective; he was too busy dealing with his own problems to fire up the team. Still, he was always willing to try to throw a big hit or forecheck hard if that's what he felt the team needed.

His points tell the real story - he led the team in points. But his goals were way down, because he wasn't shooting enough and the shots he did take were bad ones. I think we see a rebound from last year's performance - I think we see 30-35 goals out of Elias this season, I think Zubrus is a much better center for him than Gomez - Elias traditionally isn't an off-the-rush scorer (though obviously he can do that) - just think of his most famous goals. That's where Elias excels - his touch around the net, his quick wrists, and deadly aim. We'll be seeing it for the next six years in Newark, and I think Elias welcomes the challenge to rebound from last season and prove that he deserves this contract and this captaincy.

Edited by Triumph, 13 July 2007 - 08:13 PM.

[mddevsfan]

Here's what you have to realize, Elias was very underpaid with his first two contracts. Secondly, could he have received that same money on the open market? Without question. I could have things mixed up, but I have heard that Sather offered him more money than the Devils last year and he turned it down. Part of me thinks he was signed before July 1st, so I could just be off here.

Now, want to say his production hasn't matched his salary? That is one thing. However, if that is the reason you are going to trade him, you are not going to get fair market value for his potential. You never do on salary dumps.

No, you were right the first time, he did make it to UFA. He signed at a little before midnight on the 1st, so he had been unrestricted all day. Rumor was, he did receive a big offer from the Rags, but turned it down in favor of staying with the Devils for a little less money, but with a no-movement clause, which Sather wasn't offering. Lou may also have been offering an extra year or two.

Long story short, if I remember things correctly, you're not mixed up. Well, other than being a Rangers fan.


Back on topic, Elias is in no way overpaid if he returns to his usual form this season. There's a good chance last season was just a slump due the lingering effects of the Hepatitis and the added pressure of taking over the captaincy.

This time next year, if Patty has another off season, then we'll talk.

Edited by mddevsfan, 13 July 2007 - 08:49 PM.

[squishyx]

i like how everyone is saying he "will" return to form and he "will be worth it". There is no gaurentee of this. And honestly, there is no reason to expect him to be better, other then we WANT him to be better. Say what you want about Gomez, he and Elias were an important duo.

I can allready imagine the responses next year:

-Elias just had another off year, he was still recovering from hepititas
-Elias old agents were dragging the court battle on and on which affected his focus
-Elias gets a bad rep for being a bad captain because he doesnt have talent around him
-Just give it time, this was his fist year with Zuburus and they just started clicking at the end

Face it, Elias has not lived up to the contract and responsiblities of being a captain. It doesnt mean he is a bad player or we should get rid of him, but he deserves critisism. Leading the Devils in scoring is a stupid argument, that just means all the players underpreformed. We should get off his back because he sucked the least? no way. Elias could easilly put up 100point if he gets his act together, but until he does I still say he is over paid.

[olesha]

IMHO, the determining factor was the captaincy for his off-year. He took that job extremely seriously -- in the locker room and on the ice. On the ice, he tried to do way too much to prove he was deserving and capable. He put way too much pressure on himself to carry his line and carry his team. I agree he passed way too much. But then that was a common failing for the Devils last season.

Like others have said, he also was still having his blood count levels monitored.
I think this season, he's going to return to form. Gomez is gone. Elias will relax and go back to playing his game. Am really looking forward to see if he and Zubrus click. It could be interesting.

And considering the freaking contracts they're handing out in the new NHL, he's a bargain for what he does.

[NYGDevils32]

Elias isn't captain material. He is the kind of guy who is a great player when everybody isn't looking at him. He was better when Stevens was Captain. Not that he doesn’t deserve to still be C, but his game is better when his teammates are not looking to him for leadership and clutch play in a close nail biting game. Maybe he will step up next season, but who knows. He has the talent, but we still need to see that leadership.

[Triumph]

i like how everyone is saying he "will" return to form and he "will be worth it". There is no gaurentee of this. And honestly, there is no reason to expect him to be better, other then we WANT him to be better. Say what you want about Gomez, he and Elias were an important duo.

They had a good season and a half together, but the board claimed right from the beginning that this pairing would never be ideal - and it's tough to claim that it ever has been. Gomez works best with shoot-first players who work well on the rush like Mogilny. That's not Elias's game. They've certainly had good seasons, but it was never exactly Hull and Oates.

Face it, Elias has not lived up to the contract and responsiblities of being a captain. It doesnt mean he is a bad player or we should get rid of him, but he deserves critisism. Leading the Devils in scoring is a stupid argument, that just means all the players underpreformed. We should get off his back because he sucked the least? no way. Elias could easilly put up 100point if he gets his act together, but until he does I still say he is over paid.

Elias hasn't lived up to the contract or being a captain. Well, good thing it's only been one season out of seven. I assume being a good captain means the Stanley Cup, right? If he's so bad and we got to the second round.

100 point seasons?!? There hasn't been one in Devils history and now this guy can put it up 'easily'? I'd be shocked if he put up 90 at any point during this deal. The Devils don't use their offensive lines like other teams - they haven't since the Arnott line days. They won't this coming season (although they should be used better). Still, the absolute lack of puck moving defenders or guys who can jump into the play means no 100 point seasons for Elias. What he needs are more goals, and he'll get them.

[parise9]

elias leads by example not voice like what scotty used to do...he will get on track this year...and hopefully he will not be afraid to shot the puck once in awhile

[SteveStevens]

When Elias dose good the Devils do good

[TopShelf#9]

[font=Comic Sans Ms]

OK I'm glad someone finally brought up this question. Patti is a great player, but worth $7.5 a year I don't think so. Forsberg, Jagr, Mario and the yes the great one were players you would pay those kind of feds to at one point in careers. Crosby is worth every penny of the almost $9mill a year he is getting. Sure the Devils play defensive hockey, but you simply can't keep the great players from scoring goals. OK riddle me this......is Patrick Elias worth $1.2 mill a year more than Marty. Fine different position. Are they going to hang his number from the rafters when he retires....if he retires with the Devils? That would be NO.

When was the last time you sat on the edge of your seat knowing he would score a goal in a game. Kinda like we all did watching our second year wonder kid Zach.

He is a great player but we are not getting our moneys worth at that cost.

[Dadds]

i think elias is overpayed for the way he has been playing. if he steps it up and plays like he did before he got hepititus that his salary will be sutable

[UnderDogX]

Our best and most overall productive forward and captain is getting paid less than most forwards his age and talent if not all of them. He lives and dies by the Devils and bleeds Red and Black, there is no way he should be considered overpaid. He's consistently one of the best 2way fowards in the game regardless of stats. He plays hard every night puts his heart out on the ice every single game and and as I've noticed one of his most noticeable flaws that have been mentioned in this thread is he tries to do too much...I think I can live with the reasonable price who's most mentioned flaw is he tries too much...but of course that's just my two cents.

[UnderDogX]

Patti is a great player, but worth $7.5 a year I don't think so.

His cap hit is 6 mil...rethink those thoughts and name another player of his caliber that brings what he does to their team and gets paid 6 mil...also take into account of years of service and status with the team (i.e. captaincy) He means more to the team than goals and assists and even then he still has lead the devils in overall scoring for years now (minus the lockout and sickness of course)