Should Patrik Elias retire?

With the Devils season now over, Patrik Elias has a decision to make.  Should he retire, or try and come back for one more season?

Just read this, Elias is reconsidering his future after a nice little return for the last three games of the year.  Does that mean that he planned on retiring? I think all of us Devils fans were thinking this was going to be his last year.  He turns 40 this Wednesday and only played 16 games this year.  I'm torn.

I believe that if a player thinks he still has gas left in the tank, go for it. The question is, does he actually have anything left in the tank, and if so, does he fit in the Devils' future? If he does try and come back next year, there is no promise that it would be with New Jersey. The Devils are in the process of rebuilding and are trying to get younger, not older.  He's no better than a 3rd line player these days and he would have to take a big pay cut to remain a Devil.  Could he even stay healthy for a full season?

I would say it all depends on what the Devils plan on doing this offseason.  Young guys like Boucher and Blandisi have proved that they can be full-time NHL players.  Pavel Zacha and newly-signed Miles Wood will have a good chance of making the team next year.  Mike Sislo had a big year for Albany and will challenge for a full-time spot in the lineup next year.  The Devante Smith-Pelly trade is looking better and better everyday.  For the first time in a long-time, the Devils have some good, young talent in the pipeline.  This doesn't even include any potential moves/signings that Ray Shero makes in the off-season.

Where does that leave Elias?  He's not going to stick around to play on the 4th line.  That wouldn't be fair either way. It's similar to Brodeur in his last season.  You don't want to see a Devils legend leave and play for another team.  I never want to see Elias wear another NHL sweater, the same way I never wanted Brodeur to leave. But, you don't want to hold onto him just for nostalgic reasons and end up disrupting both the present and future of the team.

If Patrik Elias wants to return next year, he should.  If you were in his shoes and have a chance to play professional hockey for even one more year, do it.  Look at Jagr, he's having the time of his life and says he'll play til he's 50.  If you can still play, then play.  If the Devils decide that they don't want to sign Elias, I don't blame them.  I can see how he doesn't fit into their future.  And if Elias decides he wants to test free agency and try to play one more year with another team, no hard feelings.  

Regardless if he retires or not, his #26 jersey will be the next one retired and hanging at the Prudential Center.