In my judgment, Elias deserves to have his #26 retired. Here are my five main reasons:
(1) He is the all-time leading scorer, and was indispensable to our success during the early part of this decade.
(2) His plethora of game-winning goals and overtime heroics speaks volumes about his role as a clutch performer for the team over the years.
(3) His presence as an individual is always felt by teammates in the dressing room, and it is sorely missed whenever he is injured.
(4) He was the only player I saw who actually shed tears at the Devils' heretofore other retirement ceremonies.
(5) The organization is truly blessed to have him as a humanitarian ambassador off the ice----his connection with kids at local hospitals and charity events is unparalleled, and his global work with UNICEF is simply amazing.
Two other points worth mentioning:
* The Maple Leafs' honoring system is unique to the Maple Leafs, and should stay that way.
* Borderline guys like Niedermayer and Johnny Mac may very well have their numbers retired too, but I just think that there is slightly more that distinguishes Elias.
Elias should definitely get his number retired. Unfortunately the game won't sellout.
Did you watch last night's game? I think the crowd's reaction when Patty hit the ice proves the fans love him, and know how important he is to the Devils.
Did you watch last night's game? I think the crowd's reaction when Patty hit the ice proves the fans love him, and know how important he is to the Devils.
I was at last night's game. Calm down. I'm a huge Elias fan. The user name should be a dead giveaway.
By the time Elias' contract runs out he would have spent over 15 years with one team in an era where that's even harder to occur. Think Daneyko would have stayed around for the last ten seasons if there was a cap? Not so sure.
Elias has four years left on his contract and might even sign another one after that. 1,000 points is very doable. Elias is also one of the best "clutch" performers in the history of the NHL (by way of playoff performance and overtime goals), a point you conveniently ignored.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nocashstyle
Elias is only 33? Already has 706 points. 1,000 is definitely not out of the question
You make a good case for Elias, but 15 years is still not impressive, especially when 10+ year long term contracts seem to be gaining favor in the NHL, not to mention Daneyko was from an era before the days of proper training, nutrition and taking proper care of an athlete's body.
And how do you know that Daneyko wouldn't have stayed with the Devils team for 20 years if there was a salary cap? That's all speculation. But the truth of the matter is that he did.
And I didn't ignore the fact that he's clutch and has a lot of game winners in OT. Besides, he hasn't been clutch in a long time and how do you know we will never again have a player who we consider "clutch" and who scores a lot of OT game winners? We actually have one of those players who is emerging right now into that role.
Elias has 247 points in his last 4 seasons since the lockout. He needs needs 294 to reach1,000 and given his notorious streakyness and serious health issues, it would be extremely difficult as he would need to average 73.5 points per season starting this season and the remaining 3 seasons on his contract. He's hasn't played at that level in 9 years. Sorry but that's not happening.
If it were up to me, we'd only have one number retired now and another one waiting in the wings. But I can also live with also honoring an original draft pick and an incredible 20 years of service.
I can live with seeing another #26 and hopefully so will Lou. But I will always look back at Elias as a good player who never learned to consistently utilize his full talent.
In my judgment, Elias deserves to have his #26 retired. Here are my five main reasons:
(1) He is the all-time leading scorer, and was indispensable to our success during the early part of this decade.
(2) His plethora of game-winning goals and overtime heroics speaks volumes about his role as a clutch performer for the team over the years.
(3) His presence as an individual is always felt by teammates in the dressing room, and it is sorely missed whenever he is injured. (4) He was the only player I saw who actually shed tears at the Devils' heretofore other retirement ceremonies.
(5) The organization is truly blessed to have him as a humanitarian ambassador off the ice----his connection with kids at local hospitals and charity events is unparalleled, and his global work with UNICEF is simply amazing.
Two other points worth mentioning:
* The Maple Leafs' honoring system is unique to the Maple Leafs, and should stay that way.
* Borderline guys like Niedermayer and Johnny Mac may very well have their numbers retired too, but I just think that there is slightly more that distinguishes Elias.
I like Elias too, but because he cried at the retirement ceremonies of others is now criteria for retiring a number?
And as far as #5 is concerned, I'll save that for a sad-sack franchise nearby who just retired a player's number for this very reason. If he had any sense of humility, he would have declined the offer over such a self-serving reason.
I like Elias too, but because he cried at the retirement ceremonies of others is now criteria for retiring a number?
And as far as #5 is concerned, I'll save that for a sad-sack franchise nearby who just retired a player's number for this very reason. If he had any sense of humility, he would have declined the offer over such a self-serving reason.
You, Sir, have no heart!
In all seriousness, #4 and #5 are no small factors when considering this issue of number retirement. His crying at Stevens' ceremony is not a criterion in and of itself----that makes it sound like the tears were contrived----but it DOES symbolize the much more significant fact that Elias wears his heart on his sleeve, and that he is beloved in New Jersey. As to his heavy involvement with UNICEF and with other forms of charity work, this has nothing to do with him trying to create a personal image of being humble and altruistic. If you feel this is the case, then I'm afraid you don't know Patrik Elias.
In all seriousness, #4 and #5 are no small factors when considering this issue of number retirement. His crying at Stevens' ceremony is not a criterion in and of itself----that makes it sound like the tears were contrived----but it DOES symbolize the much more significant fact that Elias wears his heart on his sleeve, and that he is beloved in New Jersey. As to his heavy involvement with UNICEF and with other forms of charity work, this has nothing to do with him trying to create a personal image of being humble and altruistic. If you feel this is the case, then I'm afraid you don't know Patrik Elias.
Oh please, spare me the theatrics. I still don't think his number should be retired and I disagree with some of your sappy rationale.
And I get it now, you KNOW Patrik Elias more than most. You're just so privileged.
This is an interesting thread, but it's kind of moot to continue with you when you're locked in total fanboy mode and throw a fit at any negative slight against Patrik Elias.
EDIT: You didn't properly read my post. I in no way, shape or form said that his charity work is not genuine. Please read it carefully and try to figure out who the heck I was talking about when I mentioned humility. Sheesh. :
Oh please, spare me the theatrics. I still don't think his number should be retired and I disagree with some of your sappy rationale.
And I get it now, you KNOW Patrik Elias more than most. You're just so privileged.
This is an interesting thread, but it's kind of moot to continue with you when you're locked in total fanboy mode and throw a fit at any negative slight against Patrik Elias.
If Elias hits 1000 points in a Devils jersey, even if he doesn't get into the HoF, I'd support retiring his jersey.
If Elias hits 1000 points in a Devils jersey, even if he doesn't get into the HoF, I'd support retiring his jersey.
Right. EXACTLY!!! That would a be tough decision not to do it at that point. That is a significant milestone and holds a lot more weight than just leading the team in career points.
But we are a long way from that happening and he has to reach that level. I don't think he ever will.
But as for right now, I say it's borderline, leaning heavily towards no. He has a nice resume, but has to do more.
Oh please, spare me the theatrics. I still don't think his number should be retired and I disagree with some of your sappy rationale.
And I get it now, you KNOW Patrik Elias more than most. You're just so privileged.
This is an interesting thread, but it's kind of moot to continue with you when you're locked in total fanboy mode and throw a fit at any negative slight against Patrik Elias.
EDIT: You didn't properly read my post. I in no way, shape or form said that his charity work is not genuine. Please read it carefully and try to figure out who the heck I was talking about when I mentioned humility. Sheesh. :
I am neither going to debate nor insult you on this. Also, I don't give a hoot about what the Rangers' policy is with retiring numbers.
I think the fundamental question here is whether the Devils ought to at least partially consider personality, popularity and off-ice conduct when it comes to retiring a player's jersey number (after the obvious things like stats and performance have been taken into account).
If Elias hits 1000 points in a Devils jersey, even if he doesn't get into the HoF, I'd support retiring his jersey.
I certainly hope Elias gets that many points when all said and done----would be a great milestone and career highlight----but I'm a bit curious as to why so many people use the millennium mark as the tipping point in the context of this precise issue?
Yeah, my logic is 1000 points gets you in. Can he hit 1000? It's about 5 years at 60 points per year.
EDIT: Here are the active players with >1000 points, and IMO, they're all HOFers. Weight probably being least qualified, but he was one of the best passers in the NHL for a decade.
Tkachuk and Weight have no chance. Brind'Amour is borderline at best.
Elias, however, might have a chance if he hits 1000 points, because of what he did in the playoffs (leading NHL playoff scorer of the last decade). He still needs to put up more numbers, though.
if he gets one more OT winner I think he will have the most OT winners with 14, tied with Sundin and Jagr right now. I don't think he has a chance at the hall but he definitely is making the case for a number to be retired. It's hard to judge now, he still has many years in front of him which could sway it either way.
We have been blessed over the last 20 years to have had so many talented players, many of whom deserve some accolade, and some extremely loyal. I don't want the retired number to lose it's exclusivity. Steven's is an obvious choice, captain for 10 years, lifted the 3 cups and really was a huge part of the turn around of the franchise. Dano was another easy pick, he represents the franchise so well, team before self. How many stay at home defenders get to be half as popular as he does. What lady could ever pass up this smile
Brodeur for me is a definite, but I am not sure about Patty and Niedermayer (because of the way he left). What I'd like to see is some sort of tribute in the building, (kind of like a museum maybe?) with an important player wall of some sort. Put up a picture/plaque with a nice biography and their contribution to the organization. Players like Brylin, Patty, Niedermayer and MacLean can be recognized and their contribution won't be forgotten. Maybe they can put something like that up by where they keep the old jerseys in the corner (where they did mystery puck give away).
)
towards myself...
about Gilmour wearing 93.
