Devils' Elias would welcome trade, but happy to stay with New Jersey

Patrik Elias is leaving his options open.

The New Jersey Devils forward, who has spent his entire career with the franchise - amassing 1,017 points in the process - isn't sure what his future with the team holds.

"I really don't know," Elias told Tom Gulitti of The Record. "I know Mr. (Ray) Shero is a very respected GM. He did a great job in Pittsburgh and in Nashville when he was part of it (as an assistant GM). So, I know, in that regard, he's very respected and I believe he's going to do a great job for this organization going forward. I guess it's up to him to kind of talk to me about it and let me know where he stands with me."

With Shero aboard as general manager and the team looking to add youth and scoring, Elias could be traded, an option the veteran is more than okay with.

"As we've talked during season, it depends on what my position is," Elias said. "To be part of a rebuild and playing limited minutes and situations, then I'll probably be honest and say I still believe I can be an impact player and maybe some other teams can use me better."

The Devils were one of the league's worst scoring teams at just over two goals per game with the 39-year-old Elias - once a 40-goal scorer - adding just 13 tallies to the mix, while making a salary of $5.5 million.