Devils GM Lamoriello isn't surprised that Brodeur remains unsigned
The moment he becomes eligible, former New Jersey Devils goaltender and current unrestricted free agent Martin Brodeur will be enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame. That'll come after Brodeur retires, which he hasn't done yet.
Though the legendary Devils netminder remains intent on playing in the National Hockey League next season, he has struggled in recent seasons and remains without a contract with the calender about to turn to August. It seems odd for a player of Brodeur's stature to be without an NHL contract this late in the summer, though his continued availability on the market doesn't come as a surprise to Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello.
"When you've been in the game for as long as I have, you're not surprised at anything," Lamoriello told reporters on Tuesday, per NHL.com.
Continued the Devils executive, elaborating on Brodeur's situation and the end of an era for the Newark, N.J. based club:
Marty and I have come to an agreement that is best for both himself and the organization, and there's nothing negative about that. Marty knows what it is to be a No. 1 goalie and to have that feeling, and that's what he wants. Cory feels the same way.
I think it's time to move forward, but never negate what Marty has brought [to the Devils], nor was the door ever shut. It was a mutual understanding of what was best for both parties. Marty will always be a Devil and the communication with him is still there, even recently.
That Brodeur won't, under any circumstances, return to New Jersey isn't a surprise. The Devils have committed a lot of money and term to Brodeur's heir Cory Schneider this summer, and seem genuine in their desire to provide Schneider with the "feeling" of being a No. 1 goalie.
With no fit for Brodeur in New Jersey, it's difficult to project what options he may have next season. It certainly appears as if most NHL clubs are set between the pipes and the market for unrestricted free agent goaltenders is still flush with names like Ilya Bryzgalov, Tim Thomas, and Tomas Vokoun.
With the quality of goaltending on the rise generally, NHL teams have trended towards rolling with youth - particularly when it comes to backup goaltenders. That trend has resulted in tough sledding for aging free agent goalies like Brodeur. Last season - for example - training camp was nearly over before Thomas signed with the Panthers, and the season was well underway before the Oilers took a flier on Bryzgalov.
In all likelihood Brodeur and the other greybeard netminders still looking for work will have to wait until a club gets desperate for help in net, be it during or after training camp, or in mid-season.
[H/T Kukla's Korner]