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Patrik Elias would like to sign one more multi-year contract with the Devils.

(Photo by Saed Hindash/The Star-Ledger)

There are other worthy candidates, but all indications are that 36-year-old Bryce Salvador will have the "C" sewn on his jersey.

"We’ve had some good discussions. I’m pretty close," coach Pete DeBoer said today, unable to hold back a smile suggesting the decision has been made if not formalized.

It would come as no surprise to teammates.

"I have a sense of who will be the captain," Patrik Elias said. "I would think Sal."

Elias said Salvador would be a good choice.

"He’s very well-liked. Probably a couple of guys here don’t like me. You can put that in," Elias said with a laugh.

Elias might have been the logical choice had he not served as captain for the 2006-07 season, only to have the ‘C’ taken away by former coach Brent Sutter. Elias was left feeling less than enthusiastic about ever accepting the captaincy again.

"Nobody has approached me with that idea, but going through the experience that I did, I just didn’t like the whole situation." Elias explained. "Obviously there is a new coaching staff here and having the letter was great for me and my career, but for me the whole experience was a bummer.

"At this point, whether I have a letter or not won’t change anything for me. I know the coaching staff appreciates me whether I have a letter or not."

At 36, Elias remains a key part of a Devils team that has a legitimate shot at another trip to the Stanley Cup Finals. His ability to excel at either center or left wing gives DeBoer some measure of flexibility with Zach Parise’s departure and Adam Henrique’s recovery from thumb surgery.

But this is the last year on Elias’ contract. He knows it could be his final season in a Devils sweater.

"Sure, I think about that a little bit," Elias admitted. "Hopefully it works itself out. We’ll see what happens here. I’m happy that the situation with ownership here is resolved. That helps. I think I can play for a few more years. I feel great physically and I’m still proving I’m a valuable player. I love the game. I still enjoy it, more probably than my first 10 or 15 years."

That’s because of his wife, Petra, and daughter, Sophia, who turned 2 in late November.

"Family puts a different perspective on it," he said.

His daughter doesn’t understand that he has been one of the NHL’s premier players for more than a dozen seasons.

"Not yet. She just says, ‘Daddy’s working hockey.’ That’s it," Elias said. "And then once I come home she says, ‘Goal?’ I say, ‘No, not today.’ She’s only a little over 2 so it’s too early to explain to her that the passer is the most important guy."

It’s one reason why Elias chose not to play in Europe during the lockout. In 2004-05 he contracted hepatitis-A while playing in Russia, but that was not a concern.

"I just didn’t feel like playing anywhere after going really far in the playoffs and playing a lot of hockey," Elias said. "If I was younger I probably would have played. I enjoyed the experience of playing during the last lockout.

"And because of my situation, too. My contract is done after this season, so I didn’t want to take a chance. You have to look at all the pros and cons."

Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello doesn’t generally negotiate contracts during the season. Although Elias is the Devils’ all-time leader in goals (361), assists (533) and points (894), it is questionable whether he’ll be offered contract that would allow him to play another 242 games to pass Ken Daneyko as the franchise’s leader in that category.

"It would be strange playing somewhere else. I can’t imagine it, but you have to explore all the possibilities. You’ve got to be ready for anything," Elias suggested. "It’s special that I’ve only played for this team.

"I know I’m getting up there (in age) but I know what I can do for the team. I know what I can bring to the team. I believe in myself, but it’s not only my decision. It’s management’s and the way they want to go for the future. You have a lot of good young players here."

He won’t be the next captain, but he’d like to stick around and wear a Devils jersey for a few more seasons.

* * *

Devils captains:

Don Lever 1982-83 through Jan. 9, 1984

Mel Bridgman Jan. 9, 1984 through Mar. 9, 1987

Kirk Muller June 18, 1987 through Sept. 20, 1991

Bruce Driver Oct. 5, 1991 through Sept. 24, 1992

Scott Stevens Sept. 24, 1992 through Sept. 6, 2005

Scott Niedermayer Jan. 9, 2004 through Aug. 4, 2005

Patrik Elias Oct. 5, 2006 through 2006-07

Jamie Langenbrunner Dec. 5, 2007 through Jan. 7, 2011

Zach Parise Oct. 5, 2011 through July 3, 2012

DeBoer on picking a captain:

“I think we have a lot of candidates in that room. Kovy is definitely one of them. Whoever we decide is going to wear the ‘C,’ in my mind that room is filled with leaders. Even last year the guys that had the C’s and A’s on were (no) small part of the leadership group. Including the Brodeurs of the world and the Hedbergs.”

Rich Chere: rchere@starledger.com; twitter.com/Ledger_NJDevils