NHL

Devils may try Elias at center

That hole at center remains the center of intrigue among the Devils.

Even as Jacques Lemaire said yesterday that he’ll “probably” try Patrik Elias as the second-line center, the potential acquisition of Patrick Marleau or Mike Comrie remained the buzz among Devils players golfing at their alumni tournament yesterday.

Comrie, the former Islander, is an unrestricted free agent whose opportunities may be dwindling with camps opening this weekend. Marleau has been removed as Sharks captain, and has long been rumored to be the San Jose component of a three-way deal with Ottawa, for Dany Heatley, with New Jersey shipping out more youth.

Lemaire said he’s skeptical about wingers moving to center. “If they’re capable of doing it, I have no problem. But you don’t see too many of those,” he said. “It’s so different, so different. It’s a totally different game.

“Elias is a guy who could play center. He’s good enough for that.”

Travis Zajac played between Zach Parise and Jamie Langenbrunner on New Jersey’s top-scoring line, but some observers believe that a top center with Elias, and now, Brian Rolston, might make magic.

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Individual game tickets go on sale this morning at the Newark box office and Ticketmaster outlets . . . Lemaire said he spoke with Scott Stevens, and concluded that the breakout worked well and shouldn’t be immediately scrapped, but will try to improve the penalty-killing this season. Lemaire also said he’ll have the center refrain from chasing the opposition puck carrier behind the net.

mark.everson@nypost.com