Arguably the greatest goalie in NHL history, Martin Brodeur said he is not interested in the contract extension for which he has been eligible for since July 1. The face of the franchise and the Devils’ final active three-Cup winner yesterday said he’s playing out the last season of his contract.
“I’m going to go through the season first, and then see. I’m going to play out this year,” the goaltender told The Post.
Brodeur, 39, is in the final year of his contract, worth $5.2 million. Johan Hedberg is 38, and each is eligible for unrestricted free agency next summer, without another NHL-tested goalie in the organization.
Heading into his 18th NHL season, Brodeur was remarkably healthy until suffering elbow injuries in the past three campaigns. He owns the NHL records of 625 victories, 116 shutouts and 1,132 games played. He has won four Vezina trophies as the NHL’s best goalie, and five Jennings trophies for the team-best goals-against average.
Tom McVie was the Devils’ coach when Brodeur played his first four NHL games in 1991-92. He was drafted by the Devils in the first round in 1990, when they traded down and still got him,
Nothing would prevent Brodeur from re-signing with the Devils after the coming season. His intentions also will hinge on whether there’s a lockout or strike in 2012, either of which could push him toward retirement.
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Center Blake Coleman, probably the most impressive player in the first two days of rookie camp, will undergo X-rays today after taking a slap shot on the right foot in yesterday’s scrimmage.
Coleman was the Devils’ third-round (75th overall) pick in last month’s draft and led the USHL with 92 points in 59 games last season. . . . Sergei Brylin, another three-Cup Devil, said he wants to continue playing, but is without a contract with the Russian KHL. He’s helping run the drills and scrimmages.
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Virtually counting on prize first-rounder Adam Larsson making the team, Lou Lamoriello can be expected not to let a $100,000 payment to Larsson’s Swedish team stand in the way if Larsson remains unsigned beyond Friday.
Lamoriello said he won’t be naming a coach this week.