Devils' Patrik Elias won't accept being a fourth-line player

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Devils forward Patrik Elias has 28 points in 56 games this season. (Ed Mulholland/USA TODAY Sports)

ST. PAUL, Minn. — There are some not-so-subtle indications that Patrik Elias's role with the Devils may be changing and that is an issue the franchise's all-time scoring leader plans to address with general manager Lou Lamoriello at season's end.

One month shy of his 39th birthday, Elias is no longer the left winger who was a threat to score 30 goals every season. But he does not believe he should become a fourth-line center whose primary job is to shut down opposing scorers.

Elias has been centering a line with Dainius Zubrus and Stephen Gionta as his wingers, and he wonders if he'll be asked to be a fourth-line checker next season, which will be the final year on his contract.

"If they want to play me on the fourth line, I'm not willing to do that," Elias told NJ Advance Media. "I think that's a conversation I'm going to have after this season. I know what I'm capable of."

What if Lamoriello, or the Devils' next official head coach, asks him to play on the fourth line next season?

"I probably wouldn't (accept) that because I don't consider myself a fourth-line player and I wouldn't be useful for this team to play that role. Simple," Elias said.

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Lamoriello dismissed the idea of a shrinking role for Elias, refusing to use that term. But he has always stressed the need for players to sacrifice for the team, mentioning it often last weekend as the organization honored the 1995 Stanley Cup championship squad.

"Right now, look at what he's doing. He's playing against the top line of every team every night," Lamoriello said. "That says a lot for where he is today. Why are we worrying about tomorrow?"

Elias has 28 points (10 goals, 18 assists) in 56 games this season. That ranks fourth among the team's scorers. But he knows some question how much he has left.

"If you look at the points on the whole team, [35] is the most. I missed 10 games and I have (28) points, so I'm not that far off if you're looking at that," Elias said. "We're not scoring much as a team.

"You have guys in the league with 70 points or upper 60's. We're half of that and that's going to show on the score sheet and in the stats. If you're struggling and everybody else on the team is doing well, then it's an issue."

His age is always brought up.

"If [25-year-old Adam Henrique] goes through [a slump], it's okay. He's got time and it's temporary," Elias said.

On Jan. 6, he collected his 600th assist and 1,000th point. On Feb. 6, he scored his 400th goal. Lamoriello said Elias, who will earn $5.5 million next season, is far from finished.

"There is no question about that. Patrik is an extremely intelligent player. He's extremely talented and smart. I just smile when I hear something like that," Lamoriello said.

Elias said he will push himself to help the Devils finish strongly, but doesn't feel the need to prove he isn't over the hill. He isn't ready to accept a fourth-line role in 2015-16.

"If they don't want me, they have to let me know," he said. "I'm sure someone would want me. I'm not worried about that."
