COLUMBUS, Ohio — Patrik Elias was standing in front of his podium, off the stage, during NHL All-Star media day Friday at Nationwide Arena. There were only three or four reporters conversing with the longtime New Jersey Devil, each with his own agenda, in a relaxed setting away from all the television cameras.
It's not an absolute truth in hockey, but usually the older the player, the more honest, unfiltered answers you get. At 38 years old and with two Stanley Cups and 1,003 points, Elias can speak his mind on just about anything. He'll give you stock answers when needed but not always.
The NHL hasn't had the same rash of injurious and malicious hits this season as it's had in the past, which speaks to a lot of things but mainly to the fact there aren't as many vicious lunatics using their eight minutes of ice time seeking prey. That changed a bit in the days leading to the All-Star break when Chicago's Dan Carcillo and Philadelphia's Zac Rinaldo were suspended six and eight games, respectively, for their awful hits on Winnipeg's Mathieu Perreault and Pittsburgh's Kris Letang.
It was the ni ...
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Article written by Dave Lozo
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