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Patrik Elias retiring was going to have me come out of retirement. The last link we all have to those great teams that now seem so far away. I am sure we can debate HHOF or not for a long time and what could have been. And I bet in a different circumstance, on a different team, with a different style, with different teammates, the decision would be easy. But that's what Elias sacrificed, and he doesn't seem to have any issues with that. Patrik Elias did what every die-hard fan of a team wants their star player to do. He put winning before anything else. He took less money, less freedom, less fame for the good of the Devils. He accepted his role for the betterment of the team every time. He switched positions, switched lines and played with much less heralded players. And did so without any confrontation. He was all class. He treated the Devils with more respect than they probably showed him. It’s extremely rare for an athlete to stick for one team their entire career. Elias did this, but it was never a coach and player tied to the hip like say Tom Brady and Bill Belichik or Tim Duncan and Greg Popovich. It was anything but that obviously. After the A-line disbanded, it felt like he constantly took a backseat to other players for whatever reason. Pat Burns, Claude Julien, Brent Sutter, and Jacques Lemaire all seemed to fall in love with other forwards, their style of play and line matching at Elias’ expense. When Brent Sutter came along, he shamefully stripped Elias of the captaincy and gave it to a player that missed training camp and pre-season. In 2009, after one of the best seasons of his career, he saw a 40-year-old mid-season acquisition heavily cut into his minutes. I’ll always remember game 7 -- the saddest game in Devils history for me anyway - where 7 forwards saw more ice-time than Elias. An NHL coach thought it be best to give Jay Pandolfo and Brendan Shanahan 3 more minutes each than Patrik. Shanahan never played another second of NHL hockey. Pandolfo would be scratched the entire 2010 playoffs. But Elias kept quiet only to see three more coaching changes in 2 years. Sure it must have been fun to play second fiddle to Parise seeing ice-time with Brian Rolston and Dean McAmmond, or the lowest of lows – 35-year-old Rob Niedermayer. Remember that in 2010 Elias saw around the same ice-time per game as Brian Rolston and Rob fvcking Niedermayer. He still had 36 even-strength points in 58 games. Yup, he was still around, and 11 years after his career season, Patrik was once again finished in the top 10 of NHL scoring. Not playing with Parise or Kovalchuk. But by making David Clarkson relevant and a washed-up Petr Sykora relevant again (later scratched in the playoffs). That season was the first year in maybe his entire time that a coach used Elias like a horse he could be. At 35 He was a true all situational player playing just under 20-minutes per game (the most he ever played in his career). The Devils kind of needed Elias to be that in 2012. For as much talk about how Elias was that all-situational player, he never was used as one like many star players around the league. He wasn’t going toe-to-toe against other team’s top players. He wasn’t always defending the lead in the final seconds. He could have done that, but the Devils found themselves defending leads more than not and were happy to roll through lines and use a checking line against the other team’s best. In 2007, the Devils had one of the most dynamic lines in the league in Elias, Gomez and Gionta going, but Claude Julien was happy to give Jay Pandolfo as much ice-time as Patrik Elias. Different team, different coach, that line is giving Elias a 90-95 point season. That same season Marty St Louis had 102 points playing 24-minutes a game – almost 5 and a half minutes more than Elias. The Lighting needed St Louis to play that amount. The Devils just didn’t. Elias played more than 19 minutes once in his career. St Louis played 20+ minutes for 11 straight years. Elias was fine with that. He did what was asked for him. He took on any role and style and succeeded at it. Top line, secondary scorer, checking line. The Devils were really really good for 15 years when Patrik Elias was on the ice. With Elias, it seemed we always wanted more from him. But when it’s all said and done, he finished with over 1000 points playing most of his career in the dead-puck era on the most offensively prohibiting teams in the league, while never playing 1st line minutes or power play minutes that any 1000 point player in the history of the league was provided. The last time the Devils made the playoffs, who was the team’s best player that year? It wasn’t the 27-year-old great captain that would leave at seasons end. It wasn’t the 28-year-old 100-million dollar man who scored 83 points playing 5 minutes of PP time and 25 minutes of total time a game. No, it was 35-year-old Patrik Elias. The Devils own team overlooked him and gave the MVP to Zach Parise. The NHL overlooked him giving 1st team all NHL to Ilya Kovalchuk. Par for the course for Patrik Elias. Greatness was always there, but you always had to look a bit harder. Sometime it was missed by his own coaches, sadly his teammates, by fans of the Devils and the NHL. However, it’s not a coincidence the Devils were an elite team when Elias was an elite player. It shouldn’t be a surprise that the Devils faltered when Elias stopped being one.

McLeod went off today in closing out the 67s in Game 6 of the 1st round. He was first star with 2 G and 3 A and a +5 in a 5-1 win. No points for Bastian. http://ontariohockeyleague.com/gamecentre/22326/boxscore

That was Elias' second game back (2 goals and 2 assists). He really came out flying...4 goals and 12 assists in his first 10 games back in the lineup in 05-06.

Firing Claude Julien with only a handful of games left in the regular season while the team was in first place was pretty weird.

Add this to the weird thread. We were shut out from the hospital.

The lights going out in a near brand new building in the middle of a game and delaying it for two hours before it got postponed for two days (Thankfully I sold my tickets to that game beforehand so I wasn't stuck there during that fiasco)

Not for nothing, it was fun listening to a Daneyko trying to distinguish between Tootoo and Ruutu. If they could have played with Auvitu his head would have exploded.

How about substitute refs after "have another donut..."? At the donut game as everyone knows the Bruins kicked the Devil butts. There was a Bruin fan sitting in 208 giving Devil fans sh!t. With about 5 minutes to go in the game, I turn around and there is an explosion of beer and popcorn directed at the Bruin fan. He came down the stairs looking like a drowned rat.

I can't believe this is going to be on page 2..

14/18 on faceoffs, too. He has been playing out of his mind lately. For those that missed Cordell's tweet: Todd Cordell‏ @ToddCordell McLeod has been playing spectacular hockey for a while now. Has 34 points (17G, 17A) in his last 18 games dating back to the regular season.

Jesus Christ - to have Parise, Kovalchuk, Elias, and 'prime' Clarkson on the ice for a powerplay... compare that to what we have now and it's laughable. .

Lou Stoates (The Lou, Stevens, Oates coaching three headed monster). That was pretty weird. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Man, this game was one of the worst of the season, this team has checked out. Some notes: -I like Coleman in a bottom 6 role next year. Has some nice wheels and has made some plays. -Zacha with 3 more shots after 4 on Friday. He needs to keep shooting. -I haven't loved Quenneville since his first few games back up here. His shot is + but he needs to work on foot speed. -I hate Prout and think he has no place in the lineup next year but good for him for going after Gudas. Gudas cuts across the ice like an a$$hole and hits Q up high. I'm glad Prout did something about it. Of course, judging by the post game comments, the players and coaches loved that sh!t. So we'll be seeing more Prout! -I didnt get a chance to watch much of Friday's game, but I liked Kapla tonight. He did a good job QBing the PP and seems to have good offensive instincts. -Oh and Zajac rules for going after Weise after that cheapshot on Palms

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I think 2010/11ish, yeah. They wound up playing three times in three days that weekend. Game was a Friday, we were down like 3-0? They went to LI or Philly or something, then finished the Lightning game on Sunday. Lost the game despite outscoring them on Sunday.

I was about to walk into a meeting I didn't want to be at when I saw TG tweet it, followed by "This is real." I left said meeting immediately.

Everyone was gonna get a penalty there, they needed to regain control. This game is one more cheap shot away from turning into a Slapshot remake

Ah okay. Still, the extra rouging is bullsh!t. If a guy takes a dirty run at your guy you need to be able to hold the guy accountable.

aaaand Zajac gets the extra as well, dude fvck the NHL and their fvcking sh!t refs

Goudas is such a piece of sh!t, couldn't care less if he's hurt from a clean hit

I would have to say many of the Bobby Holik interviews he gave over the years. I remember one interview where the team got food poisoning during a playoff series and he began explaining that horses can't vomit somehow.

I'd say the Kovalchuk retirement fiasco would rank up there for me. I still remember it - I was sitting there at work, and I get a notification from TheScore that "Ilya Kovalchuk retires from NHL" and I was like.. gotta be a mistake, we just signed him for 15 God damn years. The fallout from that on here, HFboards, reddit.. it was just madness.

Here's a great one from the 2000 playoffs that I haven't seen posted yet.

the guy is still unreal

6 NJ State Troopers carrying out a Flyers fan on their shoulders from the top of Continental Airlines Arena.

Stephen Gionta having an NHL roster spot for 4 seasons.

Marty scoring, 3 goddamn times

CR76 - the thing i loved about the three videos you posted - the goal songs. The two from the Rock when they couldn't get a good song. And the one from the playoffs w/ RR part 2 - did you notice something about it? Let's just say that the thing we hate wasn't "always there" as so many like to think.

I love Patrik Elias. Always have been a huge fan of him. He's the one player I always loved and respected from the Devils. A lifer. Franchise leader in goals and assists and of course points. It's too bad he didn't play. But it's just as well. Hasan said it best. At least his final memory was a goal and two assist game. Hasan wrote a great piece on our blog. I am not linking it. But if you want not only a good write up but also a personal experience meeting Elias by chance, then go read what Hasan wrote on our site. I really enjoyed it. Elias' greatest moments are dual in 2000. The 2 goals he scored in Game 7 vs Flyers to complete the Devils 3-1 comeback. And the amazing backhand saucer pass to Arnott for the Cup clincher in overtime. A great cover photo IMHO. He also lit us up in that one sided first round sweep in '06. The year the Rangers returned to the playoffs. I didn't much care. I knew they had no chance. Elias was so easy to admire for how he played the game and carried himself. A great two-way player. Very respectable. He also wore Sykora's jersey after the Devils won that Cup. It didn't matter that he wore a Devils jersey. It didn't stop me from getting a Czech Republic home white Elias #62 jersey. No.62 due to Rucinsky wearing 26. I still have it. It's not always about the rivalry. You can still admire a rival player without hating them. I often wonder how Devil fans felt when Jagr played for us. Was he that easy to hate? He hurt himself going after Gomez, who became public enemy number 1 when he signed here. But Jagr was always different to me. I always was a huge fan. I own a Pens home white '98-99 replica Jagr I bought at Cosby's after a game at the old MSG. I never hated Jagr. Even when he scored that winner to end Gretzky's career. Just awe. Ironically, Jagr played for the Devs too and became beloved. Because of who he is. He has personality and character and unreal talent. He's a living legend. Jagr has played for almost the entire old Patrick Division except the Islanders. I'm really glad Elias got to do it with one team. Here's hoping he gets the recognition one day from Toronto. It might take some time. Congrats to a class act.

That was a scream-at-the-TV moment for sure. And then there was the hell that was Game 6. I had a killer tailgate with my then soon-to-be-fiancé (now my wife of 12.5 years), nice sunny day, was so psyched up for the game...and then a 1-0 loss, with the Devils looking completely flat and lifeless. And I only needed five damned minutes to know that the Devils were losing that game. Very frustrating loss...and yeah, never would've guessed it at the time, but wow did those Hurri-fvcks turn out to be a serious thorn in our side. Arrrrrgh.

It's amazing how spoiled we were during that period and how dominant we were over so many other teams. I wish I could go back in time and give Ranger fans 1000 times more crap than I did as I was merciful due to the pitiful state their team was in.

I would add, the plans they made to have him around for these last few days and participating in some stuff to honor him is a total class move by the organization. He may not be able to play, but he'll have his last moment on the ice. I may cry like a little b***.

People talk about how this franchise has hit such rough times and they go back and forth about Parise leaving and Kovalchuk leaving and this guy not living up to expectations and that guy not, but I almost never hear anyone mention the simple fact that Patrik Elias stopped being a 1st line forward. He was a first-line forward for almost 15 years, and we usually took him for granted. He was never the fastest player and he probably didn't have the best shot on the team either, but he's probably the smartest player I've ever seen.

Elias was the type of player you dream about having on your franchise. Home grown, a fierce competitor that always strove to improve, a clutch playoff performer, responsible defensively. He never called attention to himself, never a peep about him off the ice. In this age of social media we see pro athletes indiscretions pasted everywhere...all the time. The list of guys who you can point to and tell your kids "be like them, play like that...do that in that situation" is growing smaller and smaller. Elias is one of those guys who is still a role model. It was a great privilege watching him play.

My all time favorite Devils player. I will be at the game on Tuesday, but doubtful for next Saturday (but will watch the game from home). I got a replica jersey of his back in 2000 right before the playoffs started and was my favorite replica that I ever wore. Been fortunate enough to see his entire career and was at the game where he broke MacLean's points record in the same game as Marty's 552 game in March of 2009. I will definitely be at his retirement night game next season no if's, and's or butt's. Here are some of my Elias game used/worn collection that I have collected over the years: Elias 1995-96 Albany River Rats game worn jersey. First gamer Patrik wore as a professional hockey player in North America. Looks like the A was added after he wore it as he was not an alternate that year for the Rats. I believe I have a photomatch for this as well from a game from January of 96. Patrik Elias 2001-02 white set 2 game worn. Also have this photomatched. Patrik Elias 2013-14 White set 1. Also have this photomatched. He also wore this in the ceremonial puck drop at the first ever game (preseason) in Brooklyn against the Islanders at Barclays in September 2013. Elias Game worn gloves. Used mostly during 2013-14 season and photomatched. Also have a game used autographed stick from Elias, but do not have a pic handy.

Yeah I love them both as Devils, but they suck on-air, especially Johnny Mac. If I were in charge of the broadcast team I'd make almost across the board changes, as follows: Deb and Johnny Mac out on pre and post, Matt Loughlin moved from radio PBP to pre and post TV host (a role he excelled in before); Hire Scott Gomez for Johnny Mac's job- he has the right personality for it and I think Gomez would be good at that job; hire Don LaGreca to take Loughlin's place in the radio booth as the full time Radio PBP guy- bring LaGreca home so he can stop shilling for the Rags- he and Sherry Ross would make a good team; finally, I'd keep Cangi and Dano in their roles because I honestly don't know who we can hire at this point who would be clear upgrades over either of them- plus Dano IS 'Mr. Devil', which, while he isn't the greatest color guy, does hold some weight. Both guys have been around and know the team very well too- I can live with them, but the rest of the crew needs an overhaul. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Speaking of Dan-o...much as I like him, sadly I don't think it's ever going to happen for him as a color man. I was more than willing to give him a while to grow into the job, but it just doesn't seem like a great fit. Ditto Johnny Mac in his role...pains me to say that, as he'll always be my favorite player (damn that ACL, he was going to score 50 that year), but he's brutal on the air.