Devils winger Patrik Elias sounds like he’s close to retirement

A New Jersey Devils legend sure sounds like he’s ready to call it a career.

Patrik Elias, the 40-year-old winger who’s spent his entire career with the Devils, played in just 16 games in a 2015-16 season ended early by knee cartilage surgery. Still an unrestricted free agent, Elias has spent the entire 2016-17 season trying to rehab his injury at the Devils’ facility.

On Friday, Elias went on with the Devils pregame radio show and indicated for the first time that he’s leaning toward hanging up his skates:

“I’m so thankful to [Devils GM] Ray [Shero] that he allows me to still train [here] and give it everything I can to get back. It’s very hard after all these years going through injuries like that. For quite a while, you kind of rethink everything, what’s worth it, if you’re still capable of competing at the highest level. I gotta make a decision soon, not [just] to be honest with myself, but at the same time for respect to the guys and the coaches.

Elias self-deprecatingly called himself a “sparring partner” for the Devils players who try and come back from injuries, since that’s who he trains and practices with. When asked about the timetable for his return, Elias really began hinting at where he’s leaning:

“Have you given yourself any kind of timetable?”

“[Laughing] The time is up, actually. I talked to Ray before Christmas, I expressed how I feel physically and I honestly think I’d be capable of [coming back] physically. But it’s more, for me, where I’m at mentally. It’s hard to explain. When you go through injuries it leaves you with a little bit of doubt, but at the same time you start realizing ‘maybe there’s something more for me after hockey.’ Obviously, enjoying the family and doing stuff I haven’t been able to do for 25 or 30 years, maybe. Mentally, I’m just getting closer to wanting to enjoy those things.”

Elias and his wife, Petra, have a daughter, six-year-old Sophia.

The winger has to sign by March 1 to be eligible to play this season. If he does decide to retire, Elias will most likely be bound for the Hall of Fame and have his jersey retired. Elias is the Devils’ all-time leader in regular season goals (408), assists (617), and points (1,025) as well as leading in those playoff statistics. He helped lead New Jersey to Stanley Cup wins in 2000 and 2003.