from Rich Chere of NJ.com,

Despite assurance from Patrik Elias that he would be back "soon" from a right knee issue that has sidelined him from the start of training camp, the Devils are not planning to use the veteran forward in any preseason games.

"That's really up in the air right now. We're not really planning on it, just because it's kind of been a slow process so far," Hynes said Tuesday.

So where does Elias, 39, stand?

"We're still going through the process," Hynes explained. "It's a situation that's not going to be rushed. I wouldn't necessarily stay it's day to day. Every day he's trying to work through it."

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