Elias is likely to be up for grabs in 2006
With little room to work under the NHL's new salary cap, the Devils were unable to negotiate a contract extension with left winger Patrik Elias. That means the club's top scorer could walk away as an unrestricted free agent after this season.
Elias, who was a restricted free agent, signed the Devils' qualifying offer of $4.18 million for the 2005-06 season. However, the two sides were unable to agree on a long-term deal that would keep him in a Devils jersey beyond this season.
Because Elias is still recovering from a severe case of hepatitis A that he acquired while playing in Russia during the NHL lockout and will likely miss the start of the season, Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello last week signed Alexander Mogilny to a two-year contract. Because the team is already over the $39 million cap, which needs to be met by Oct. 1, that left even less money to offer Elias.
"The numbers we were looking for were just not available this year," Elias' agent, Todd Diamond, said. "Compounded by the uncertainty of when Patrik will be in the lineup and the fact that Lou felt he needed a veteran to pick up the slack, this was best for both parties."
The Devils and Elias must now wait until after Jan. 1 before discussing a contract extension.
"At this time, with everything going on, we just decided this was best for both sides," Lamoriello said.
Elias could choose to test the market when he becomes unrestricted July 1.
"Lou knows Patrik will be back (from his illness) and what he has done for the team," Diamond said.
Elias has made progress in his recovery from hepatitis A and has received some encouraging blood test results. However, his workouts are restricted and he does not want to rush back and risk injury.