It took a while, but Patrik Elias’ campaign is ready to get underway.
Elias, who’s yet to play this year because of a knee injury, says he’ll be in the New Jersey lineup tonight when the Devils host the Blue Jackets at Prudential (per The Record).
The 39-year-old’s presence should provide an emotional lift in front of the home crowd.
A lifelong Devil -- only Ken Daneyko and Martin Brodeur have appeared in more games -- fans may be witnessing Elias’ last year in uniform. It’s fair to suggest he could be on the verge of retirement, given he’s in the last of a three-year, $16.5 million deal and will turn 40 in April.
As for tonight, it’s not yet official who Elias will play with -- or how much he’ll play. He did take line rushes with Jacob Josefson and Stefan Matteau at Tuesday’s practice.