The A-Line Reunion: Grade A Company

For the first time in years, The A-Line was back together.
Patrik Elias was joined by longtime friends and teammates Petr Sykora and Jason Arnott on Wednesday night at Prudential Center for a Q&A hosted by Devils radio broadcaster Matt Loughlin. The trio known as "The A-Line" took questions from fans and reminisced about all times, when they were among the NHL's best line combinations.

Although the three former Devils only skated together from 1999-2002, the chemistry and friendship that still exists is undeniable. The group discussed the old times, Saturday's banner raising ceremony and more. Check out some of the best exchanges from the candid conversation:

Will Elias Cry on Saturday night?

Arnott: We used to make him cry all the time!
Sykora: I think he'll be a good guy but at the end he's going to crack and he'll cry. On a serious note, we're so excited for him. I think Patty deserves this and we're all going to celebrate the great career he had. Patty deserves to cry because he had an incredible 18 years with this club.
Elias: It's going to be a great moment. It's the last chapter. I've been here or over two decades and all of a sudden, it's the end. When you get to this point, you start thinking about all the people you've met and the moments. The good and the bad. These guys are special people in my life. Not just because of hockey but because of the relationships off the ice. This weekend isn't just about me, but it's about everybody.

Elias on life after retirement

Elias: You don't follow my Instagram? I always get asked if I'm bored but I'm not. I'm spending all the time with my kids and love my every day routine. We moved back to Prague and I take them to school every day. We go skiing often. I love it. Just the city…Walking around town…Going for a beer with my buddies…It's great.
I really enjoy my life. I'm helping out with the Czech Junior National Team and it's very rewarding. The kids just want to learn the game. I guess I'm a special consultant. I am in hockey but I do not want to do it full time just yet.

Instant A-Line Chemistry

Loughlin: Taylor Hall isn't the only Devil to be traded here from Edmonton…Jason, you came over from Edmonton first. What was that like?
Arnott:Because I was playing in the west I didn't know much about the Devils. All I knew is that they were known as the trap team. In Edmonton, we were more run and gun and that's probably why we never made the playoffs and New Jersey always did. I fine-tuned my defensive game and learned a lot when I came over and it just worked.
Elias: The chemistry came right away. The communication was the most important and once we stepped on the ice it was so amazing. I've said it many times. People don't realize how good Jason was. He fit in perfect. He just got it. We could rely upon each other. When we were on the ice with an empty net, it was an unwritten rule, that we all tried to touch the puck before we shot so we could all get a point.
Arnott: I don't remember that!
Sykora: It was just between Patty and I!
Arnott: So that's what you guys were always saying to each other in Czech!
Sykora:We all played the same way. We all had a shot. We had good passing. I watch the highlights and think "Oh my. How did Jason see me there? How did Patty know I was open?" I've never played on a line with two other guys where it clicked like that. I can say for myself, those were my best two years of my hockey life.
Arnott: It's fantastic. I always go back and watch the old tapes of us playing together and what we accomplished. It was the best time of my life and will be engraved in my brain forever.

On 2000 Stanley Cup Final Game 6

Arnott: I only watch one clip and it's only 5 seconds long. Sadly, Sykora isn't in that clip.
Sykora: I don't know if you remember Patty, but you were screaming at Bobby Holik on the plane after Game 5. "If you would've scored that one we wouldn't be playing in this!" Then eventually, Game 6 happened and everyone knows what happened with the big collision.
Arnott: It was dirty! That guy would still be suspended if that happened today.
Sykora:Well I was in the hospital. First, I screamed. Then I cried. Then the nurse came in and started crying cause the Stars lost. Then Arnie, Patty, Lou and Larry Robinson came to the hospital and brought the Cup. I eventually left the hospital with them and brought the Cup with us.
Arnott: When Sykie went down, Patty and I looked at each other. We knew this was it. We knew we had to do it for him. Patty makes that pass and, seriously, look at that video slow. You can see Patty turned and saw me before he passed it. It was the only way we were going to beat Eddie Belfour.
It was the battle of the goalies. Patty actually made me lean because the pass wasn't \exactly\ perfect. From Game 1 to the end, it was a hard fought battle. We all ended up with cuts, bruises and it was quite the battle. It was all worth it.
Elias: That play sums up the way we felt about each other and the way we played for each other. I tried to put it right on the tape but \now apparently\ Jay says it was slightly ahead of him. Either way, the puck went in. It was so emotional and we really wanted that moment for our fans. That play to Petr made the difference. Things like that matter.
It was how it was meant to be. It was such a reward but I said it so many times. I was so happy it was over. It was such a physical and emotional toll.

On 2000 Eastern Conference Finals vs. Philadelphia and Larry Robinson locker room tirade

Sykora: Larry absolutely snapped. I've never seen anything like it. But throughout my years, I can't say enough about him (Robinson). I have so much respect for him. The rant was unexpected but really got us going.
Loughlin: Was there a garbage can involved?
Arnott: There was a bunch of stuff involved! It was a "Put your head down and try not to get hit by something" moment. After Larry lost it on us, we regrouped and took it one shift at a time. It actually helped us calm down and refocus. Larry helped us recognize that we were the better team and if we played the way we did the first two series, we would be fine. After we beat the Flyers, we couldn't believe there was \still\ another series to go. That Stanley Cup Final win in 2000 took everyone. That's what makes it so, so special.
Loughlin: And…..Who scored the game-winning goal?
Arnott:Well, Patty did but I passed it to him!

Elias on almost joining the Rangers

Elias:There was a time I almost left and that was literally the only time. I was a free agent for the first time ever and had no negotiations with the Devils. Lou told me teams would be interested in and pay you a lot more than New Jersey could. He said I deserved the big pay day, and good luck.
When FA opened, I didn't think I would go to New York. Before you know it, teams drop off and you're down to five teams. Then two teams. The Rangers were one of them. Then it was just one team. The Rangers and I discussed the deal because the Devils never called. There was no interest. I didn't think I had a choice. When I wanted the no-trade clause and they couldn't give it to me, it showed me that the Rangers weren't going to be loyal to me.
So instead, I called Lou myself. I told him the situation and that I wanted to make it work in NJ. Seconds later, Lou started giving me contract details with numbers and years. I told him to call my agent….Five minutes later, I signed a contract with the Devils and I was back. I'll never know if he was just waiting for me to call, but it took no more than ten minutes to get the deal done. Maybe he wanted to make the fans nervous or me nervous. Everything happens for a reason and it was the right decision.
Check out photos from The A-Line Reunion below.