Patrik Elias, Free Agent
Free agency season is here. With the salary cap in the NHL, teams are faced with paying their best players market value, limited by the other players who demand market value. In theory, this prevents the escalating salaries that got various teams into financial trouble in the past few years, but it has a chilling effect on those of us who have favorite players. The upside to salary caps and free agency is that it’s a controlled market. Unfortunately, sometimes it works as well as a Soviet-era planned economy.
We are die-hard Patrik Elias fans in our house. We have a Czech phrasebook so we can cheer in his native language. We have Czech Olympic and Russian league jerseys, in addition to Devils wear of all shapes and sizes. My son lives in his Ceska Hokey hat, autographed by Patrik. The last thing we want is for Elias to end up somewhere other than in a Devils sweater in the upcoming season.
The questions, then, are what matters more: market value or home value? Turn up as a free agent in a new market, and there’s no assurance of fan loyalty: you’re representing salary cap space that could have been used for someone else if you go into a slump. Count the number of times you can read Elias’ name in the Meadowlands; he’s well represented on the backs of the fans who do come to the games. What’s the team chemistry? Who will feed you the puck, and who’s there for the other end of the pass? Is there a local Italian place where you and your fiancee can enjoy good gnocchi? Will you miss your golf friends and your social circles? The home team discount isn’t about being nice to the guys who have been paying you; it’s about valuing what counts as home for nine months of the year enough to turn down the price on another housing market.
We’re all waiting to see what Lou can do with Patrik and Jamie Langenbrunner, as well as a host of restricted free agents. Take all of the first-round draft picks you want, I’d rather keep Gomez. And keep him on a line with Elias.
Tags: elias, langenbrunner