MadDevil
8-23-05, 4:06 PM
Elias agrees to 1-year deal with Devils
Accepts qualifying offer, may re-open negotiations later.
Published in the Asbury Park Press on 08/23/05
BY MIKE KERWICK
STAFF WRITER
Patrik Elias will play one more season with the Devils. After that, maybe he follows Scott Niedermayer out the door.
Unable to hammer out a long-term deal with the Devils, Elias agreed Monday to play for New Jersey's qualifying offer of $4.18 million this coming season, according to his agent. The Devils will now have to wait until Jan. 1 to re-open talks with their star sniper.
"He understands it's not a normal situation," said Todd Diamond, Elias' agent. "Everything being normal, we may have been discussing a contract that (would allow him to) play the best parts of his career in New Jersey. That's not the case. He's going to come in, get ready, start working hard."
Elias is still recovering from a bout with hepatitis A. Diamond said Elias will be flying back into town from the Czech Republic later this week and will resume work with New Jersey strength/conditioning coordinator Mike Vasalani.
"If he's ready in three weeks, great," Diamond said. "Six weeks, great. We want to make sure the guy is completely healthy, first and foremost. When he comes back, he's going to be a great shot of energy to the team."
Even without Elias in the fold, the Devils were hanging over the edge of the top end of the league's $39 million salary cap. While Elias is out, his salary isn't expected to count against the cap.
According to the NHL's web site, "Clubs at or near the upper limit that have players who incur a bona fide long-term injury will be entitled to replace up to the full value of the injured player's NHL salary (even if such salary would result in the club's team salary exceeding the upper limit) . . . Upon return of the injured player, the team must come into immediate compliance with the requirements of the payroll range."
Elias will turn 30 in April and could become an unrestricted free agent next summer. Diamond said he and Lamoriello have discussed re-opening negotiations in January and that their failure to get something done now won't have an impact on Elias' future in New Jersey.
"Absolutely not," Diamond said. "We have a completely open mind. Obviously he's had a great time so far in his career with the Devils. They've accomplished a lot and he's a big part of it. He loves living in New Jersey with all the good golf courses, the proximity to New York. He knows no other way except the Devil way."
Not counting Elias, the Devils currently have 21 players under contract for a total payroll of $40,224,794. They are waiting to learn whether Scott Stevens is returning for another season and have yet to name a backup goalie. Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello has until Oct. 1 to pare his payroll down to $39 million. Some of New Jersey's higher-priced forwards (Jeff Friesen, $2.28 million; Viktor Kozlov, $1.748 million) could become cap casualties.
http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050823/SPORTS/508230429/1002
I was hoping he could get a long-term deal done, but I guess Lou is a bit nervous about giving out long-term contracts at this point. I just hope he doesn't follow Niedermayer out of New Jersey.:(
Accepts qualifying offer, may re-open negotiations later.
Published in the Asbury Park Press on 08/23/05
BY MIKE KERWICK
STAFF WRITER
Patrik Elias will play one more season with the Devils. After that, maybe he follows Scott Niedermayer out the door.
Unable to hammer out a long-term deal with the Devils, Elias agreed Monday to play for New Jersey's qualifying offer of $4.18 million this coming season, according to his agent. The Devils will now have to wait until Jan. 1 to re-open talks with their star sniper.
"He understands it's not a normal situation," said Todd Diamond, Elias' agent. "Everything being normal, we may have been discussing a contract that (would allow him to) play the best parts of his career in New Jersey. That's not the case. He's going to come in, get ready, start working hard."
Elias is still recovering from a bout with hepatitis A. Diamond said Elias will be flying back into town from the Czech Republic later this week and will resume work with New Jersey strength/conditioning coordinator Mike Vasalani.
"If he's ready in three weeks, great," Diamond said. "Six weeks, great. We want to make sure the guy is completely healthy, first and foremost. When he comes back, he's going to be a great shot of energy to the team."
Even without Elias in the fold, the Devils were hanging over the edge of the top end of the league's $39 million salary cap. While Elias is out, his salary isn't expected to count against the cap.
According to the NHL's web site, "Clubs at or near the upper limit that have players who incur a bona fide long-term injury will be entitled to replace up to the full value of the injured player's NHL salary (even if such salary would result in the club's team salary exceeding the upper limit) . . . Upon return of the injured player, the team must come into immediate compliance with the requirements of the payroll range."
Elias will turn 30 in April and could become an unrestricted free agent next summer. Diamond said he and Lamoriello have discussed re-opening negotiations in January and that their failure to get something done now won't have an impact on Elias' future in New Jersey.
"Absolutely not," Diamond said. "We have a completely open mind. Obviously he's had a great time so far in his career with the Devils. They've accomplished a lot and he's a big part of it. He loves living in New Jersey with all the good golf courses, the proximity to New York. He knows no other way except the Devil way."
Not counting Elias, the Devils currently have 21 players under contract for a total payroll of $40,224,794. They are waiting to learn whether Scott Stevens is returning for another season and have yet to name a backup goalie. Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello has until Oct. 1 to pare his payroll down to $39 million. Some of New Jersey's higher-priced forwards (Jeff Friesen, $2.28 million; Viktor Kozlov, $1.748 million) could become cap casualties.
http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050823/SPORTS/508230429/1002
I was hoping he could get a long-term deal done, but I guess Lou is a bit nervous about giving out long-term contracts at this point. I just hope he doesn't follow Niedermayer out of New Jersey.:(