Patrik Elias
This has to be the most logical choice.
Elias is the longest standing Devils player, having played close to 20 years in the organization. He has played his entire career in New Jersey, being a home-grown talent from his selection by the team in 1994.
He has served as captain previously in the 2005-2006 season. He became the seventh player to hold the distinction, taking over from legendary Devils captain Scott Stevens.
However, Elias would be later stripped of the captaincy by former coach Brent Sutter before the start of the 2007-2008 season. How the “C” was taken away from the veteran remains a sore spot for Elias.
In an interview with Rich Chere of NJ.com back in 2011, Elias expressed his apprehensiveness of a second go-around as captain:
I didn’t like the way the situation was handled, so if it was offered to me I’d have to talk it over with them…I’d rather not be put in that position again
However, it’s a different time now. New faces, new situation with management. Elias has been in plenty of time as a Devil, and holds many of the franchise’s all-time offensive records.
He has earned the title, and what better way to pay tribute to his legacy than to name him the 12th captain in Devils history. Perhaps, it would be icing on the cake and show Elias that the organization was wrong in taking away the “C’ before.
However, that would depend on Elias, if offered. And from reports, Ray Shero is undecided about naming a team captain for the upcoming season.
