Shanahan agrees to return to Devils

NEW YORK (AP) -Brendan Shanahan is heading back to the New Jersey Devils, the team with which he started his NHL career more than 20 years ago.

Shanahan has been an unrestricted free agent since July after his one-year deal with the New York Rangers expired. He has been looking for a new team since, and had spoken to the Philadelphia Flyers earlier this season.

The forward, who will turn 40 later this month, is 11th on the NHL career goal list with 650. He spent four seasons with the Devils before joining the St. Louis Blues as a free agent in 1991.

"Brendan Shanahan has agreed in principle to join the New Jersey Devils," general manager Lou Lamoriello said in a statement. "He will begin skating on his own. Brendan will join the team at a date to be determined."