Brodeur still waiting for another opportunity

TORONTO -- Martin Brodeur is still waiting for an opportunity to play in the NHL again, and he isn't ready to call it a career yet.

The former New Jersey Devils goaltender spoke to reporters before the 2014 Hockey Hall of Fame induction ceremony, and said if a team is looking for an experienced goaltender he will be ready.

"I'm working out," Brodeur said. "It's getting a little long, but I'm trying to skate as much as I can. I'm here if someone needs me."

Brodeur, 42, is the NHL's all-time leader in wins (688), shutouts (124) and games played (1,259). He won the Vezina Trophy four times and helped the Devils to a Stanley Cup championship three times.

Last season, Brodeur played 39 games for the Devils, splitting time with Cory Schneider. Brodeur had a .901 save percentage, which was tied for 45th among eligible goaltenders.

"Like I said, I'm just going to keep myself ready," Brodeur said. "Whatever happens, I don't need to make a decision and I don't want cheat myself of any opportunities if it happens later on. I'm just taking it day-by-day."

For now, Brodeur is getting to enjoy some things not possible with the grind of a professional hockey player's schedule.

"It's been good," Brodeur said. "That time off, enjoying the kids, traveling a lot, it is things I'm able to do that I've never been able to do. But I still have the fire and I'd like to play again. It is understandable with the quality of the goaltending around the League and with the youth of the quality goaltending around the League is pretty tremendous. We'll see if my experiences is valued to an organization or not."

Brodeur played for Pat Burns, who was posthumously honored by the Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2014. The Devils won the Cup for the third time in Brodeur's career with Burns in charge in 2003.

"For us, it was just a small part of his career. I think what he accomplished, coaching for all of those Original Six teams, was very impressive," Brodeur said. "Montreal, Boston, Toronto and he finally won the Cup with the Devils. Nobody would have thought that. It is great for our organization. Any time you can have an athlete or a coach go into the Hall of Fame that was associated with the Devils, it is great for the organization and great for the fans of New Jersey."

He also had many battles with another member of the Class of 2014, goaltender Dominik Hasek. Brodeur and Hasek had many memorable duels on the ice and at the NHL Awards show.

"I know he took away a lot of Vezina [Trophies] from me, that's for sure," Brodeur said. "His prime was also my prime and I couldn't beat him. He won all the Vezinas. I got to know him and I am so happy he is going into the Hall of Fame. He is the type of goalie that everybody scratched their heads when they watched him play, but he got the job done."

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