Posted in the Star-Ledger is a story that New Jersey Devil’s winger Patrick Elias doesn’t think he will be 100% healthy at any point during this season. He says his groin and hip are bothering him, and he is fatigued very easily. While New Jersey is giving him every chance to succeed on the first line with Travis Zajac and Zach Parise, this news does not bode well for Elias owners. Groin injuries are extremely troublesome, and if it is still bothering him it is unlikely he will get to 100% without extended rest or more surgery.
If you were one of the people who grabbed Elias later in the draft and stashed him on the IR, it is time to make that investment pay dividends. Start shopping him now before the news gets out that he is still hurting, or even worse, ends up back on the IR. Depending on positional need, guys like Scott Hartnell and Alex Tanguay, who are both turning it on after slow starts, would be good replacements at LW. Other potential trade targets would include underachieving players like Devin Setoguchi, Shea Weber, and Martin Havlat.
