NEWARK - Patrik Elias still isn't near a decision about returning to the Devils' lineup this season, and that's not a surprise.

Devils coach John Hynes said the team has always expected any possible return to come later rather than sooner.

"Patrik knew, we knew as an organization, coming into this year that it probably wasn't going to be a first half of the season type of situation," Hynes said. "He's really working to see if this is going to be something he feels and we feel that he's going to be able to play. But we're not at that point yet."

Elias continues to skate on his own while rehabbing from knee surgery he underwent in May. His stall remains in the far left corner of the Devils' locker room.

Other than Hynes saying that the Devils never expected any decision in the first half of the season, everything else is still status quo for Elias' rehab.

"He's still going through the process of trying to figure out whether or not he's going to be able to play," Hynes said. "He's still training, he's skating, he's been around with us, using the facilities and things like that."

Chris Ryan may be reached at cryan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @ChrisRyan_NJ. Find NJ.com Devils on Facebook.