Cancel that retirement party. The NHL’s winningest-ever goalie told The Post yesterday he is now leaning toward playing as a 40-year-old next year.
“I’m having fun,” said Martin Brodeur, expected to be in goal for the Devils tonight when the Jets visit Prudential Center.
“I feel differently about it now than I did last summer, or at the start of the season,” Brodeur said. “It’s not 100 percent, but I’m definitely leaning toward coming back next year.”
The possibility of a lockout next season could muddle his plans, but Brodeur previously insisted he was undecided about playing after his contract ($5.2 million) ends this season.
“There’s a bigger chance now than before,” said Brodeur, 13-10-1 in this, his 18th NHL season. “A few people I’ve spoken to have told me that if you think you still have that little flame, keep it going, because once it’s out, it’s out.”
Brodeur said he’d want to return to the Devils.
“First and foremost,” he said, before adding he’d only consider playing elsewhere if the door closed with the only team he has ever known.
Brodeur said coach Pete DeBoer approached him to clear the air after the goaltender was yanked in Calgary last week, allowing the opening two goals in a 6-1 loss. Brodeur said DeBoer explained he was hoping the team would respond to the switch.
Brodeur said while he doesn’t like the move, he accepts DeBoer’s explanation. Heading toward his 40th birthday May 6, Brodeur has won his last two decisions and stands 7-2-1 in his last 10 games. He did not suffer the loss in Calgary.
Brodeur holds NHL goaltending records of 1,159 games, 638 victories and 116 shutouts. He is tied with Patrick Roy with 13 30-win seasons, and his eight 40-win seasons leaves second-most Terry Sawchuk, Jacques Plante, Mikka Kiprusoff and Evgeni Nabukov in the dust with three each.