Former NHL goaltender Mike Richter: Devils' Cory Schneider has 'the mark of a champion'

Former New York Rangers goaltender Mike Richter knows what it takes to win, having earned more than 300 victories and a Stanley Cup in his career. And Richter believes New Jersey Devils netminder Cory Schneider possesses the right qualities to one day be a champion himself.

"No question in my mind," Richter told Rich Chere of NJ Advance Media. "He seems to fundamentally be able to have a plan and stick to it and play well enough to get himself a lot of wins. Marty Brodeur was that."

Schneider, 29, finished last season in the top 10 in the league in goals-against average (2.26) and save percentage (.925), but still ended up with a losing record of 26-31-9. Richter thinks things will change for the talented goalkeeper down the road.

"What separates great players, whether it's a Dominik Hasek or Patrick Roy or Brodeur, or my idol, Bernie Parent, is what's between their ears," said Richter. "You'd better be damn consistent if you're going to win through good times and bad. I see nothing other than consistency from this guy. That's the mark of a champion."

Since arriving in a trade from the Vancouver Canucks, Schneider has done an admirable job stepping into the spotlight left by the legendary Devils goaltender Brodeur, which Richter said was no small feat.

"Then to come here. Does anyone want to follow that guy (Brodeur)? It's a really big deal. You have to win the fans over," said Richter. "There is a level of consistency, expertise and excellence that is expected. When (Brodeur) left, it's human nature for people to say (about Schneider), 'That's no Marty Brodeur.' Well, I have to tell you. I've watched this guy."

Schneider is locked into a contract until 2021-22, so he has plenty of time to cement his own legacy in New Jersey, proving that Richter's assessment is indeed correct.