Martin Brodeur ‘probably’ retiring after next season, won’t rule out Devils return
Martin Brodeur annoucned he will definitely be testing free agency this offseason after playing his entire Hall of Fame career with the New Jersey Devils, but wherever he decides to continue his career next season, it will likely be on a one-year deal as Brodeur said 2014-2015 will “probably” be his last.
More from New Jersey Devils
- NHL Rumors: Latest on Hart, Hellebuyck, Gibson trade possibilities
- NHL Draft winners and losers 2023: Blackhawks hit jackpot, Maple Leafs flop
- NHL Mock Draft: Connor Bedard No. 1, but who’s next?
- NHL trade grades: Devils acquire Tyler Toffoli from Flames, deal Yegor Sharangovich
- NHL Rumors: Grading Hayes and Blackwood trades, Karlsson suitors, PLD stays in LA
The 42-year-old goaltender who has won more games and shut out more opponents than any other player between the pipes in NHL history tells Tom Gulitti of The Record he isn’t shutting the door on the Devils but is prepared to end his career elsewhere.
"“It’s going to be probably my last year,” the NHL’s all-time leader in wins and shutouts told The Record today. “You never know what kind of energy I’m going to get from my decision, but I’m not looking for anything more than one year that’s for sure.”“I’m going to give myself the opportunity to look at what’s out there and see if there’s something that’s interesting to me,” he said. “It doesn’t mean it’s not going to be in New Jersey, but I’m going to look everywhere, like I did two years ago. But now, the circumstances are a lot different with having [Cory Schneider] here, so we’ll see.”"
Brodeur’s numbers have been on a steady decline over the past four seasons, but is two years removed from helping lead the Devils to the Stanley Cup Final and has a championship pedigree that could be an asset to a team with a need for an insurance policy in net or a veteran backup if an organization is not ready to trust a young prospect in net.
He went 19-14-1 with a 2.51 GAA, .901 save percentage and recorded three shutouts in a reserve role to Schneider in what looks like his final season in New Jersey.