26 Patrik Elias LW

Elias announced his retirement from the NHL on Friday.

A true poster boy for loyalty, Elias spent two decades with the Devils, hoisting the Stanley Cup Trophy twice and becoming the team's all-time leader in goals (408), assists (617) and points (1,025). He was a consistent power-play weapon over the years and helped his own cause by playing both the center and winger positions. While GM Ray Shero may have considered re-signing Elias ahead of the 2016-17 campaign, the Czech skater was focused on recovering from knee surgery and another deal never came to fruition.

Elias (knee) still has not been re-signed by the Devils, and GM Ray Shero said Tuesday that he has no internal deadline to sign the 40-year-old, The Record reports.

Elias had knee surgery in May, and his 4-to-6-month recovery timeline means he could be out into November; either way, it looks like he won't be present for the start of New Jersey's training camp. That means the former star is almost certain to miss the start of the regular season even if he does ultimately sign with the Devils. For now, though, he's on the outside looking in, and it seems inconceivable that he'd bolt for another franchise after spending his whole career in Jersey, which means there's a good chance Elias ends up retiring.

Elias had surgery on his right knee on Wednesday, Tom Gulitti of The Record reports.

Elias appeared in just 16 games during the regular season due to sustaining a long-term knee injury last September. The timetable for his recovery is unknown, but the push for a speedy recovery will depend on whether he decides to retire or not. The 40-year-old forward tallied an impressive 1,022 points in 1,237 career games.

Elias (knee) will be back in the lineup Tuesday night against the Sabres, Tom Gulitti of The Record reports.

Elias has been out since Dec. 20, having undergone arthroscopic knee surgery earlier this year. Three games remain on the schedule for the Devils, and those contests should be quite sentimental for the veteran as he's spent his entire career in New Jersey and may be on the brink of retirement. Turning 40 years old on April 13, Elias has amassed 1,022 points in 1,237 career contests.

Elias (knee) has a chance to return to action either Tuesday against the Sabres or Thursday against the Lightning, Tom Gulitti of the Record reports.

For his part, Elias feels ready to play at this stage, and during Monday's practice he worked as the left wing on a line with Jacob Josefson and Mike Sislo.

Devils coach John Hynes said Elias (knee) has a good chance to return at some point next week, Tom Gulitti of The Record reports.

After undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery Jan. 12, Elias reportedly has progressed quicker than expected, thus increasing the likelihood that he'll be able to return to action for one (or more) of the final three games. Elias will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, but there's been wide speculation that he may hang up his skates and retire. A 19-year veteran, Elias will turn 40 years old on April 13.

Elias, who is bouncing back from a Jan. 12 right knee scope, is slated to travel with the team for an upcoming two-game road trip to Florida, Tom Gulitti of The Record reports.

Though Elias will not play either Thursday against the Panthers or Saturday against the Lightning, the veteran forward is slated to practice on the trip, which seems to hint at a potential return to action next week.

Elias (knee) skated lightly on his own Thursday, Tom Gulitti of The Record reports.

Thursday marked the first time Elias has skated since he underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee on Jan. 12. Although his return to the ice is certainly encouraging, the 39-year-old winger is likely still a long way from returning to game action. Expect an update on Elias' status once he's able to return to practice with his teammates.

Elias (knee) had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Tuesday and there is no timetable for his return, Tom Gulitti of The Record reports.

Elias had not played in a game since Dec. 19 prior to undergoing the knee surgery. The 39-year-old Czech veteran had tallied one goal and four assists in 13 contests for New Jersey this season. More information on an expected return date for Elias will likely come out in the near future.

Elias (knee) isn't ready to return yet and will be held out for "a little bit," Tom Gulitti of The Record reports.

The 39-year old has missed the Devil's last three games, and has missed 23 of 36 games overall. It seems as though New Jersey will keep Elias out of the lineup for as long as it takes in order to ensure that he will not suffer another setback to his knee upon returning.

Elias (knee) is out for Saturday's tilt with the Hurricanes.

Age has seemingly caught up with Elias, as this is the second stretch of 2015-16 that he has missed with knee problems. Elias has not been very effective when he has played though, recording just five points in 13 games. The 39-year old's next opportunity to get back in to the lineup will be Tuesday against Carolina.

Contrary to earlier reports, Elias is dealing with a knee injury and will not play Tuesday night against the Red Wings.

Previous reports indicated that Elias would play, but evidently the team has decided to keep him out for the road contest. Elias missed Sunday's game against the Bruins for what was deemed a "maintenance day," but it's been announced that he's actually dealing with a knee ailment. At any rate, he'll have until Dec. 26 to get healthy before the Devils play again.

Elias took a maintenance day Sunday which prevented him from facing Boston, but Devils coach John Hynes said the winger will play Tuesday night versus the Red Wings, Tom Gulitti of The Record reports.

Between the maintenance day and an upcoming holiday break that gives the Devils three straight days off, Elias is getting some much-needed rest for his 39-year-old body. With his season starting late due to a knee injury, Elias has one goal and four assists through 13 games.

Elias played 14:50 over 20 shifts in his first game of the season Wednesday night, the North Jersey Record reports. He spent 5:32 on the power play.

Elias didn't dent the scoresheet, but did get two shots on goal and had two other attempts. "I thought it was a good first game for Patrik to come back," Devils coach John Hynes said. "He looked good. He looked quick. I thought he was really smart the way he managed his shifts. He didn't overextend himself, he got a little bit of special teams action (and had a) strong work ethic. For being off that long and the time he put in, he looked pretty good out there tonight."

Elias (knee) will return to the lineup Wednesday against the Blue Jackets, Rich Chere of The Star-Ledger reports.

Elias will make his season debut for the Devils on Wednesday, and is expected to slot in alongside Jacob Josefson and Stefan Matteau for the contest. The veteran winger shouldn't be expected to post huge numbers with the team, but he did still manage to tally 34 points (13 goals, 21 assists) in 69 games last season.

Elias (knee) should be ready to return for either Wednesday's game against the Blue Jackets or Friday's matchup opposing the Canadiens, Tom Gulitti of The Record reports.

The Devils continue to keep a close eye on Elias as he inches closer to a return from an injury to his right knee that has kept him out of action since the beginning of training camp. Elias is 39 years old and has not played in a game since April 11 of last season, so he very well could be rusty upon his return. However, he can still be an effective point producer based on the fact that he's amassed 1,017 points (406 goals, 611 assists) over 19 years in the NHL with the Devils.

Elias (knee) practiced with the team again on Monday, Tom Gulitti of The Record reports.

Elias practicing again with the Devils Monday indicates that he is closing in on a return to the lineup. The 39-year-old Czech veteran has yet to play in a game for New Jersey this season.

Elias (knee) returned to the ice for Saturday's morning skate, but will not play in the evening contest against the Penguins, per Tom Gulitti of The Record.

While Elias won't see game ice Saturday, this is still a positive development as the veteran winger appears to be drawing closer to a return. His knee injury, stemming from training camp, initially wasn't believed to be serious enough to keep him out of many games, but it's been quite the contrary as Elias is still waiting to make his season debut. Remember, Elias is 39 years old with 19 years of experience, so he probably has a great idea about what it takes to make a full recovery.

Elias (knee) is skating on his own and making progress in his rehab, but still has no timetable for a return, Tom Gulitti of The Record reports.

Elias missed the entire preseason and and has spent the regular season on the non-roster injured list, so don't expect to quick of a recovery from the 39-year-old. There is still some ground for the veteran to cover before a tangible return date can take shape.

Elias (knee) will start the season on the non-roster injured list, Tom Gulitti of The Record reports.Elias is out indefinitely with a knee ailment that has been bothering him throughout New Jersey's training camp. It makes a lot of sense to place the veteran winger on the non-roster injured list to open the season, as he will now be able to continue his rehab with the Devils' medical staff without inhabiting a spot on the team's 23-man roster. The 39-year-old will hope to return to action as soon as possible, but New Jersey will likely proceed with caution with their all-time leader in goals and assists.