What Is Wrong With Elias??(not Talking About The Injury)

With all of the Gomez bashing that has taken place, no one is pointing the finger at Elias. For most of the year he has blended in with the boards. He's our Captain and best player yet he has not been a factor most nights!
How many times have we seen him miss scoring chances and tilt his head back, staring at the sky while the other team takes the puck up the ice?
I don't want to sound like Darth Hater, or someone who has been drinking Hatorade, but he is more responsible for the drop in numbers than Gomez.
I love the guy, but he needs to play with that same "Hep" in his step that he did last season for the Devils to be successful!

sure hes not having an OUTSTANDING year, but people forget that dudes averaging a point per game....

With all of the Gomez bashing that has taken place, no one is pointing the finger at Elias. For most of the year he has blended in with the boards. He's our Captain and best player yet he has not been a factor most nights!
How many times have we seen him miss scoring chances and tilt his head back, staring at the sky while the other team takes the puck up the ice?
I don't want to sound like Darth Hater, or someone who has been drinking Hatorade, but he is more responsible for the drop in numbers than Gomez.
I love the guy, but he needs to play with that same "Hep" in his step that he did last season for the Devils to be successful!

there are already about 19 different Elias posts about this, but I do agree with you and others such as Muttley, Elias is playing with no moxy at all. Someone needs to light a fire under his arse! I don't think the torch was passed when Stevens retired, I think someone dumped cold water on it.

there are already about 19 different Elias posts about this, but I do agree with you and others such as Muttley, Elias is playing with no moxy at all. Someone needs to light a fire under his arse! I don't think the torch was passed when Stevens retired, I think someone dumped cold water on it.

No moxy? Did you see his games before he got injured?

I love how we're still lumping blame on someone who cant even play right now and hasn't played in some time.

No moxy? Did you see his games before he got injured?

I love how we're still lumping blame on someone who cant even play right now and hasn't played in some time.

Can you present an example?

Can you present an example?

You first.

there are already about 19 different Elias posts about this, but I do agree with you and others such as Muttley, Elias is playing with no moxy at all. Someone needs to light a fire under his arse! I don't think the torch was passed when Stevens retired, I think someone dumped cold water on it.

there can't be 19 different posts about Elias slumping this year.

Muttley just told me he was the 1st and pretty much only Devil fan who felt this way and that nobody even noticed Elias' level was off until the great Larry Brooks pointed it out in slapshots a few weeks ago..

You first.

SI.Com. Go to the Devils and look at his stats.

there can't be 19 different posts about Elias slumping this year.

Muttley just told me he was the 1st and pretty much only Devil fan who felt this way and that nobody even noticed Elias' level was off until the great Larry Brooks pointed it out in slapshots a few weeks ago..

You love the Devils...it's getting creepy.

His stats are very misleading. Almost a point a game, but very quiet points. He had been coming on right before his injury(you can tell when he skates into the zone and rips shots off the pipe and in like against philly), but still only 21 goals not very impressive for almost 70 games. His average would not even reach 30 goals over 82 games!!!
He's the scorer you expect to score year in and year out, and he has not done it. I also noticed a lot of blind/drop passes that are way off target leading to turnovers.

there can't be 19 different posts about Elias slumping this year.

Muttley just told me he was the 1st and pretty much only Devil fan who felt this way and that nobody even noticed Elias' level was off until the great Larry Brooks pointed it out in slapshots a few weeks ago..

Come on, you know the posts about Elias are current, within the last several weeks. :sarcasm:

Here's one:
http://hfboards.com/showthread.php?t=358544

Another:
http://hfboards.com/showthread.php?t=354213&highlight=Elias


Besides, as Devils fans, we don't need to turn to The New York Post to formulate our opinion. Some of us think Elias is underdperforming and some of us think he's doing just fine.

We have our different outlooks on players, etc. You know that. :sarcasm:

Im thinkin we should trade him while he still has some value. A couple draft picks will do.:shakehead Some people on here are unbelieveable.

Im thinkin we should trade him while he still has some value. A couple draft picks will do.:shakehead Some people on here are unbelieveable.

You don't think him being the highest paid Devil and scoring only 21 goals prior to his injury is worthy of debate?

Especially whe we really need scoring help and we are already at the cap ceiling?

Im thinkin we should trade him while he still has some value. A couple draft picks will do.:shakehead Some people on here are unbelieveable.

I think if we can work a trade for Brendl, Lundmark, Malhotra, Blackburn and new to the club Hugh Jessiman..

You don't think him being the highest paid Devil and scoring only 21 goals prior to his injury is worthy of debate?

Especially whe we really need scoring help and we are already at the cap ceiling?
Numbers dont mean everything. Sure, he isnt scoring a lot of goals, but he is averaging a point a game, which isnt too shabby. Also, it is the little things elias does. The quick pass, setting up our powerplay, playing defense. Sure i would like elias to score more, but scoring goals isnt everything.

Numbers dont mean everything..

End the post right there. :sarcasm:

Look at our goal differential. There is no room for error. Now and all season.

We need goals.

Sorry.

It also doesnt help that we dont have our leading goal scorer from last season. Look, im not trying to start a fight here, i am just saying elias does the little things right, and scores some goals at the same time. Not the amount we would like for him to, but he is still scoring some.

Before I read "Elias doesn't shoot enough" I'd like to point out that he's 16th in the NHL with 245 shots at this moment.

If you want him to shoot like Ovechkin (who leads the NHL with 358 shots); fine, but that's rather unrealistic. With respect to shooting, I think the shot selection and accuracy needs work; but you can say that about half the forwards on New Jersey.

Also: Elias isn't the only forward on the team. If the team isn't scoring enough as you like, blame the team, not just one member of it.

Also Pt. 2: If Elias is getting assists, it means SOMEONE is scoring. That should also be considered.

Before I read "Elias doesn't shoot enough" I'd like to point out that he's 16th in the NHL with 245 shots at this moment.

If you want him to shoot like Ovechkin (who leads the NHL with 358 shots); fine, but that's rather unrealistic. With respect to shooting, I think the shot selection and accuracy needs work; but you can say that about half the forwards on New Jersey.

Also: Elias isn't the only forward on the team. If the team isn't scoring enough as you like, blame the team, not just one member of it.
:handclap: :handclap: Exactly

End the post right there. :sarcasm:

Look at our goal differential. There is no room for error. Now and all season.

We need goals.

Sorry.

And I'm sure he'd like to be netting them...

Also: Elias isn't the only forward on the team. If the team isn't scoring enough as you like, blame the team, not just one member of it.


But he's the highest paid and most skilled forward. He's the goal scorer of the team.

Captain too.

Start with him and work your way down. That's why he's under the microscope in this thread. :sarcasm:

Also: Elias isn't the only forward on the team. If the team isn't scoring enough as you like, blame the team, not just one member of it.

Well more like one line, since the so-called second line has far exceeded expectations and we don't expect the third and fourth lines to score bupkus anyway. Obviously the Devils' goal-scoring woes can be traced back to the injuries and struggles of the Elias-Gomez-Gionta line.

Gionta's performance has fallen off the least of the three, if it wasn't for the injury he'd already have 30 goals by now. Gomez as I said in the other thread isn't the goal-scorer he appeared to be last year and has looked unmotivated at times, dragging the line down.

Elias is harder to explain, I don't think being captain has anything to do with it - he's just always been very streaky as a goalscorer. Some guys are streaky over weeks and months, Elias can sometimes be streaky over entire seasons. He loses his confidence far too easily and I'm a huge fan. But I'll never get on him because he has been giving 100% and he has been doing everything 'but' scoring.

But he's the highest paid and most skilled forward. He's the goal scorer of the team.

Captain too.

Start with him and work your way down. That's why he's under the microscope in this thread. :sarcasm:

Pando for Captain! :naughty:

haha

I love it when newbies come here and tell us what we should be complaining about. (Especially when it's a debate that's been raging here all year.)

I love it when newbies come here and tell us what we should be complaining about. (Especially when it's a debate that's been raging here all year.)

This is why I haven't been posting. I elect not to when we are in " sky is falling" mode.

This is why I haven't been posting. I elect not to when we are in " sky is falling" mode.
Yeah, these periods always happen in a season. Is anyone really surprised that when 2/3s of our top line and our top defensive forward is out we aren't winning?

I love it when newbies come here and tell us what we should be complaining about. (Especially when it's a debate that's been raging here all year.)

He wasn't. He was just stating his personal feelings. Do we get merit the longer we are on this site? ;)

With all of the Gomez bashing that has taken place, no one is pointing the finger at Elias. For most of the year he has blended in with the boards. He's our Captain and best player yet he has not been a factor most nights!
How many times have we seen him miss scoring chances and tilt his head back, staring at the sky while the other team takes the puck up the ice?
I don't want to sound like Darth Hater, or someone who has been drinking Hatorade, but he is more responsible for the drop in numbers than Gomez.
I love the guy, but he needs to play with that same "Hep" in his step that he did last season for the Devils to be successful!

Welcome to the boards. I can see you haven't been here very long (and not by your start date/post count).

He wasn't. He was just stating his personal feelings. Do we get merit the longer we are on this site? ;)

Yes, unfortunately, yes. I didn't get a reply till my 500th message I believe :sarcasm:

But he's the highest paid and most skilled forward. He's the goal scorer of the team.

Captain too.

Start with him and work your way down. That's why he's under the microscope in this thread. :sarcasm:

Yup. The non-stop Elias bashing is annoying as hell, but that's exactly what it comes down to: points per $$$, and Elias so far has not been a good investment. However, there are many years left, and with the growing cap in 4 years he may be a steal (maybe) but this year he's mighty expensive.

Just take him off the Gomez line Julien, see what happens.

Yes, unfortunately, yes. I didn't get a reply till my 500th message I believe :sarcasm:

LOL!!!

He wasn't. He was just stating his personal feelings. Do we get merit the longer we are on this site? ;)
Edit: NJD Minion said it a lot better above.

I can't think of anyone who hasn't pointed the finger at Elias at some point this season. Also, he WAS playing some of his best hockey of the year before he got injured.

This is why I haven't been posting. I elect not to when we are in " sky is falling" mode.

with all of the injuries on a list that grows by the game, the sky is actually falling. :sarcasm:

Exactly, everybody kind of put the finger at elias....rightfully so, but guys, we all wish that Patty would be back right now....We all see where this team is headed without him, and of course the 2 others. Sometimes, it takes the absence of people until we finally realize how important they were, even though they were not playing at their best. I mean Elias always gets special attention from the opponents, thus giving Zajac line more freedom, right now, the Zajac Line is the only one that needs to be shut out and we already lost the game if not for a stellar game by marty

with all of the injuries on a list that grows by the game, the sky is actually falling. :sarcasm:

It was bound to happen. We've been healthy all year up 'till now.

Do we get merit the longer we are on this site? ;)

yes, and de-merits as well :D

Yup. The non-stop Elias bashing is annoying as hell, but that's exactly what it comes down to: points per $$$, and Elias so far has not been a good investment. However, there are many years left, and with the growing cap in 4 years he may be a steal (maybe) but this year he's mighty expensive.

Just take him off the Gomez line Julien, see what happens.

If it wasn't for the hard salary cap, then I would be easier on him. But that we couldn't get the puck moving defenseman that we need to help us on the PP (Lou was supposedly interested in Eric Brewer or Brad Stuart) because we were at the cap ceiling, then every player needs to be held accountable for their production in relation to salary.

Because we have been spoiled as Devils fans, people tend to go into 'fanboy' mode, and grow to love the players and not tollerate any criticism of them. They also look at what players did 3, 4, 5 years ago, on a much different Devils team in a much different NHL.

As I've posted before, the only reason why we are in position for a 100 point season is because of our goaltender. Our offense has been underacheiving and dependent on goal scoring by committee, and our no-name defense has been valiantly playing over its head up until now. This is a recipe for disaster, with our without our injuries.

If we have our third consecutive 100+ point season followed by yet another early playoff exit, I expect Lou to make major changes this summer, and rightfully so. Especially with a new building on its way. This is beginning to remind me of the years 1996-1999, in between Cups#1 & #2 where we would have great seasons followed by early playoff exits. Then Lou began to tweak the lineup and trade away fan favorites like Guerin & Rolston and bring in players like Arnott & Sykora.

Hopefully, we will get far and win Cup #4, but I'm not as confident as I was 4 years ago when we had a team lead by a proven captain, all-star defenseman & stay-at-home veteran blueliner. :sarcasm:

Lucky for us Elias won't be traded!

It was bound to happen. We've been healthy all year up 'till now.

This sort of reminds of 2002, when we went 20-9 down the stretch when Kevin Constantine took over, and were looking good heading into the playoffs. But then during the last regular season game at the Nassau Col, Gomez got injured and was out for the playoffs. And then we ran into that team that plays in Raleigh and we never got our offense going. :shakehead

This sort of reminds of 2002, when we went 20-9 down the stretch when Kevin Constantine took over, and were looking good heading into the playoffs. But then during the last regular season game at the Nassau Col, Gomez got injured and was out for the playoffs. And then we ran into that team that plays in Raleigh and we never got our offense going. :shakehead

Yea, the timing couldn't of been worse.

Thought Sykora was '95 draftee?

This sort of reminds of 2002, when we went 20-9 down the stretch when Kevin Constantine took over, and were looking good heading into the playoffs. But then during the last regular season game at the Nassau Col, Gomez got injured and was out for the playoffs. And then we ran into that team that plays in Raleigh and we never got our offense going. :shakehead


im pretty sure there was about 10-12 games left when that happened..not that it matters but whatever..

Thought Sykora was '95 draftee?

Right. He was.

But I really meant to say is that Lou created a successful mix of both acquired & homegrown players (like right now fitting in Clarkson and others to the team) by trading away popular players (Guerin, Rolston) for young, up & comming players (Arnott) and bringing up people from the farm (Sykora, Gomez, White, etc)

So what's the status of Elias? Does anybody know how long he'll be out? Also, what about Madden and Gionta?

I like how Muttley is trying to make players accountable for their hit against the cap. In the long run, if you really want to blame someone for messing up, then blame Lou for signing Mog and Malacrap. They're the reason the team had cap issues to begin with.

It's not Elias' fault that this team has no breathing room cap-wise. It's not his fault we couldn't get a puck moving defenseman or whatnot.

Even if Elias isn't having the best season in his career, its not a very poor one at that.

But right now, all these arguments are moot.

1. The few games before getting injured, he really stepped up his play.

2. Right now he is injured, hence complaining about him is pointless.

I like how Muttley is trying to make players accountable for their hit against the cap. In the long run, if you really want to blame someone for messing up, then blame Lou for signing Mog and Malacrap. They're the reason the team had cap issues to begin with.

It's not Elias' fault that this team has no breathing room cap-wise. It's not his fault we couldn't get a puck moving defenseman or whatnot.

Even if Elias isn't having the best season in his career, its not a very poor one at that.

But right now, all these arguments are moot.

1. The few games before getting injured, he really stepped up his play.

2. Right now he is injured, hence complaining about him is pointless.

Seriously, just because I expect more from him doesn't mean that I want him to waive his no trade clause and get traded away. I'll give him another chance, albeit next season, as I've already written him off for this season, injury or no injury.

P.S. He's having a Brad Richards season.

Well right now, there is no point in beating up on him seeing as he won't have a chance to defend himself until he returns.

The consensus is: he is doing O.K. this season, and can do better... but he isn't a bust.

you haven't seen anything unless you were around early last season, people were ready to fire the GM, trade Brodeur, wave Elias... this is nothing.

P.S. He's having a Brad Richards season.
Which is an excellent point.

Iginla signs 7M contract
next year, 82gp 35g 32a 67p
this year, 64gp 34g 48a 82p

Lecavalier signs 7M contract
next year, 80gp 35g 40a 75p
this year, 74gp 49g 48a 97p

St. Louis signs 5M+ contract
next year, 80gp 31g 30a 61p
this year, 74gp 39g 55a 94p

Now let's look at last year's big signings...
Richards (7.8M)
before 82gp 23g 68a 91p
after 74gp 24g 42a 66p

Chara (7.5M)
before in the conversation for the Norris trophy
after << last year

Elias (6M)
before 38gp 16g 29a 45p
after 68gp 21g 44a 65p

Havlat is the noticeable exception to last year's signings.

Even goalies have struggled after the big pay day...
Khabibulin, Nabokov (my fantasy team last year will attest to that), Theodore.

Seems pretty natural, I hoped Patty was above it but maybe there is a lot of pressure when payday rolls around and even though you're not performing to where you think you should be, the number on the check is rather large. (But if he doesn't want the pressure that comes with the paycheck, I'll gladly take some off his hands. :D )

Which is an excellent point.

Iginla signs 7M contract
next year, 82gp 35g 32a 67p
this year, 64gp 34g 48a 82p

Lecavalier signs 7M contract
next year, 80gp 35g 40a 75p
this year, 74gp 49g 48a 97p

St. Louis signs 5M+ contract
next year, 80gp 31g 30a 61p
this year, 74gp 39g 55a 94p

Now let's look at last year's big signings...
Richards (7.8M)
before 82gp 23g 68a 91p
after 74gp 24g 42a 66p

Chara (7.5M)
before in the conversation for the Norris trophy
after << last year

Elias (6M)
before 38gp 16g 29a 45p
after 68gp 21g 44a 65p

Havlat is the noticeable exception to last year's signings.

Even goalies have struggled after the big pay day...
Khabibulin, Nabokov (my fantasy team last year will attest to that), Theodore.

Seems pretty natural, I hoped Patty was above it but maybe there is a lot of pressure when payday rolls around and even though you're not performing to where you think you should be, the number on the check is rather large. (But if he doesn't want the pressure that comes with the paycheck, I'll gladly take some off his hands. :D )

I like the Brad Richards comparison, but that team has an emergency back up system: The Lecavalier/St. Louis line. :sarcasm:

I found this intriguing stat this morning. Nidermayer has caught up to Elias in total points. Needless to say, 67 points in this new NHL is only average.

It's both a testament to how good Nieds was and how dissapointing our entire offense is.

Will Elias wait till next season to score another goal? :shakehead

Scott Neidermayer:
14G 53A/67 points

Patrik Elias
21G 46A/67 points

(fanboys/girls, can you please stop complaining to the forum moderator again? Please just skip this thread if it angers you so much. Some of us want to keep the free flow of ideas going as not everybody is happy with Elias. Thank you)

I found this intriguing stat this morning. Nidermayer has caught up to Elias in total points. Needless to say, 67 points in this new NHL is only average.

It's both a testament to how good Nieds was and how dissapointing our entire offense is.

Considering that Niedermayer leads all NHL defensemen in points I'd say that it's mostly a testament to how good Nieds is.

Elias is having an off-year, it happens. I'm more surprised by Gomez stinking it up in the biggest contract year of his career, but that's just me. Gomer's cap hit is only one million less than Patty's and arguably we'd be better off trading Gomez last summer when his stock was high.

Considering that Niedermayer leads all NHL defensemen in points I'd say that it's mostly a testament to how good Nieds is.

Elias is having an off-year, it happens. I'm more surprised by Gomez stinking it up in the biggest contract year of his career, but that's just me. Gomer's cap hit is only one million less than Patty's and arguably we'd be better off trading Gomez last summer when his stock was high.

Like anyone could predict Gomer's off year. It was a smart move not to trade him, and I still believe that he'll re-sign.

Considering that Niedermayer leads all NHL defensemen in points I'd say that it's mostly a testament to how good Nieds is.

Elias is having an off-year, it happens. I'm more surprised by Gomez stinking it up in the biggest contract year of his career, but that's just me. Gomer's cap hit is only one million less than Patty's and arguably we'd be better off trading Gomez last summer when his stock was high.

nah, this is what we get every year out of Gomez. Last year just shows you how he needs a finisher, which is why he had the career season that he had.

Now that his wingers cant score this season, he's back to his typical less than 20 goal/60 point season.

We continue to misuse him and if we don't get a goal scorer for his line, Lou would just be wasting money in re-signing him.

As for Elias, I think his struggles will continue into next season as long as he continues to wear the C. Just a hunch.

Elias was flying all over the place tonight, he was just insane.

Elias was flying all over the place tonight, he was just insane.
He definitely was, he had a great game. Didn't put up any points, but was a big threat offensively.

nah, this is what we get every year out of Gomez. Last year just shows you how he needs a finisher, which is why he had the career season that he had.

Now that his wingers cant score this season, he's back to his typical less than 20 goal/60 point season.

Gomez currently has 13 goals, which to me isn't close to 20 goals. The reason he got 5 million in arbitration is was because he scored 33 goals (the most since he scored 19 as a rookie). Gomez is clearly aware that he should be scoring more, he's shooting the puck more this season than he has in his entire career. It's not Julien's or his linemates' fault that Gomez has a 5.4 shooting percentage (418th among NHL forwards).

We continue to misuse him and if we don't get a goal scorer for his line, Lou would just be wasting money in re-signing him.

As for Elias, I think his struggles will continue into next season as long as he continues to wear the C. Just a hunch.

If Gomez is truly a first line center and elite playmaker worth 5+ million then playing with two former 40+ goal scorers should be enough.

I just don't get why you eviscerate Elias and have no problem with Gomez's performance.

Gomez is 5 mil cap hit: 70games 13G 47A 60pts

Elias is a 6 mil cap hit: 72games 21G 46A 67pts

It looks to me like both players are having disappointing seasons.

Gomez currently has 13 goals, which to me isn't close to 20 goals.

If Gomez is truly a first line center and elite playmaker worth 5+ million then playing with two former 40+ goal scorers should be enough.


I didn't say he was close to 20 goals. I said "less than 20".

Scott Gomez yearly goal totals: 19, 14, 10, 13, 14, 33 and currently at 13.

I also said (in about 50 posts) that unless we get him a true sniper, we will be wasting money if we re-sign him. We don't know what we get in Gionta, he has had only 1 great season. Elias is too streaky in scoring and can't be counted on as being a legitmate sniper.

This is why we are currently misusing him. :sarcasm:

Elias was flying all over the place tonight, he was just insane.

isn't that the same story every game? " elias is looking good " but lacks the finish..

:shakehead :shakehead :shakehead

isn't that the same story every game? " elias is looking good " but lacks the finish..

:shakehead :shakehead :shakehead
isn't that the story every game? elias plays well and people still complain..

yeah people seriously, elias has been playing very well. everyone needs to relax

I also said (in about 50 posts) that unless we get him a true sniper, we will be wasting money if we re-sign him. We don't know what we get in Gionta, he has had only 1 great season. Elias is too streaky in scoring and can't be counted on as being a legitmate sniper.

This is why we are currently misusing him. :sarcasm:

One more time. You single out Elias for blame because of his 6 mil cap hit, but have no problem with Gomez's poor play even though his cap hit is 5 mil. I have no problem with you criticizing Elias, but why doesn't Gomez deserve the same treatment?

Every time someone criticizes Gomez you pipe in saying he's doing as well as can be expected. I'm sorry, but the arbitrator gave him 5 mil because he believed that Gomer would build on his 33 G/51A season. He's regressed back to a 15G/55A player and that's not worth 5 mil.

An elite playmaker makes his linemates better. Marc Savard has better numbers even though his team's leading scorer, Glen Murray, only has 28 goals and has missed significant time. Guys like Taylor Pyatt and Dan Cleary have 20+ goals solely because they play with a top centerman. If Gomez needs to play with Ovechkin or Kovalchuk to get 90+ points, then he's not a first line center. Most centers would love to have to "make do" with two former 40-goal scorers.

If you're going to blame Elias for the team's lack of offense, then Gomez has to shoulder some of the blame as well. I hope Lou finds a way to keep Gomez because I think he could bounce back from this, but he's having a bad year and he's responsible for the level of his own play.

I didn't say he was close to 20 goals. I said "less than 20".

Scott Gomez yearly goal totals: 19, 14, 10, 13, 14, 33 and currently at 13.

I also said (in about 50 posts) that unless we get him a true sniper, we will be wasting money if we re-sign him. We don't know what we get in Gionta, he has had only 1 great season. Elias is too streaky in scoring and can't be counted on as being a legitmate sniper.

This is why we are currently misusing him. :sarcasm:

Pando would have passed Gomer in goals last night if he got the EN hat trick.

At least, with Elias back in the lineup we start winning again...without him, we did have lots of trouble didn´t we?!

Gomer's season is bad thus far, but maybe has a silver lining to it. For him to warrant another big contract, he better light it up in the playoffs and if he does that will be good for the Devils and if he doesn't, it may scare a number of teams from offering him more than the $5 million he's making now and make it easier for Lou to resign him.

Gomez currently has 13 goals, which to me isn't close to 20 goals. The reason he got 5 million in arbitration is was because he scored 33 goals (the most since he scored 19 as a rookie). Gomez is clearly aware that he should be scoring more, he's shooting the puck more this season than he has in his entire career. It's not Julien's or his linemates' fault that Gomez has a 5.4 shooting percentage (418th among NHL forwards).



If Gomez is truly a first line center and elite playmaker worth 5+ million then playing with two former 40+ goal scorers should be enough.

I just don't get why you eviscerate Elias and have no problem with Gomez's performance.

Gomez is 5 mil cap hit: 70games 13G 47A 60pts

Elias is a 6 mil cap hit: 72games 21G 46A 67pts

It looks to me like both players are having disappointing seasons.

I don't disagee with any of that post; In fact I agree with just about all of it....

But remember, the season hasn't started yet ;)

A fantastic playoff run will make every forget about what has happened during the regular season....

The good thing is we have seen flashes and we have seen what the Elias/Gomez/Gionta line can do when all they clicking on all cylinders.


We look at that first line and see 16+Million in salary and ask if that is money well spent, but all I am saying is we won't know until playoff time......When players really earn their money.

Gomer's season is bad thus far, but maybe has a silver lining to it. For him to warrant another big contract, he better light it up in the playoffs and if he does that will be good for the Devils and if he doesn't, it may scare a number of teams from offering him more than the $5 million he's making now and make it easier for Lou to resign him.

I like that way of looking at it. Good thinking.

You know... All this doom and gloom. What are you guys going to post when we win the stanley cup?