Devils' Elias nursing right knee 'issue'

The New Jersey Devils opened their training camp on Friday with a few familiar faces being reduced to the role of spectators.

Veteran Patrik Elias, who has been nursing a right knee injury, joined fellow forward Reid Boucher (concussion) in the stands as they watched their teammates compete in a scrimmage.

"Patrik has been having an issue with his right knee over the last week," New Jersey general manager Ray Shero said in a statement. "We both feel that it is best to monitor this. He will continue to work off ice with our training staff, and skate on his own prior to joining the team for formal, on-ice, workouts."

Elias collected just 13 goals and 21 assists in 67 games last season. The 39-year-old is the franchise's all-time leader in goals (406), assists (611) and points (1,017).

Boucher suffered a concussion during last weekend's rookie tournament in Buffalo, N.Y. The 22-year-old has recorded three goals and five assists in 34 career contests with the Devils.

(h/t NJ.com)