They’re a longshot to hold on to captain Zach Parise, but the Devils today saved face, the Face of the Franchise, by keeping the NHL’s winningest goalie, Martin Brodeur.
Brodeur told The Post that the Devils will soon announce his return, reportedly with a two-year deal worth a total of $9 million. The 40-year-old, who holds the NHL career records for games, victories and shutouts, tested the unrestricted free agent market but remained with his only NHL team.
Meanwhile, Parise is expected to decide today where he’ll spend his next dozen-or-so seasons. His agent told The Post the Devils remain among a “small, select group” of teams still in the Parise Derby.
Parise is believed set to receive some $100 million for 8-13 years. The financially-troubled Devils remain in contention despite their financial troubles, and the difficulty they may have matching two $12 million signing bonuses.
The Flyers, Red Wings, Wild and Penguins are believed to be among the “small, select group,” of remaining Parise suitors. Devils GM Lou Lamoriello negotiated long and hard with Parise Saturday night and yesterday, making what was called “a competitive offer.”
Besides the financial considerations, Parise is believed to put primary weight on his evaluation of a team’s chances of winning a Stanley Cup. The Devils’ financial plight itself weighs against them, since it suggests that the team might have trouble adding more stars.
Other Devils unrestricteds, Bryce Salvador, Petr Sykora and Johan Hedberg, remained unsigned into last night, while Alexei Ponikarovsky went to Winnipeg.
Brodeur personally negotiated with Lamoriello before turning to free agency, and sources suggest the Devils’ initial offer was well below Brodeur’s salary of $5.2 million last season, and may have helped prompt his decision to test the open market.
Chicago, Toronto, Florida and Tampa are said to be among those teams who were interested in Brodeur.
Ponikarovsky, who scored one OT playoff goal and assisted on both of Adam Henrique’s series-winning overtime goals, left New Jersey for a one-year, $1.8 million deal with Winnipeg. Ponikarovsky came to the Devils from Carolina Jan. 20 for a prospect and a fourth-round pick.
Defenseman Salvador, their top stopper with a SalvadOrr output of 4-10-14 in 23 playoff games, is being courted by four teams, including the Devils. Two others are believed to be Eastern Conference teams who saw him lead the Devils at plus-18, playing 82 games.
Backup goalie Hedberg is likely to sign soon, now that Brodeur has made his decision.