Devils 'comfortable' Schneider extension is close

New Jersey Devils goaltender Cory Schneider isn't signed beyond the 2014-15 season, but general manager Lou Lamoriello told The Star-Ledger on Thursday he envisions locking up Schneider beyond that in the near future.

"Not yet, but I feel very comfortable saying we'll get it done very soon," Lamoriello said regarding a contract extension for the 28-year-old who was acquired from the Vancouver Canucks at the 2013 NHL Draft in a trade for the Devils' first-round pick. Schneider can become an unrestricted free agent after the 2014-15 season.

Schneider went 16-15-12 in 45 games in his first season with the Devils. His 1.97 goals-against average was third in the League and he had a .921 save percentage.

The Devils signed restricted free-agent goaltenders Keith Kinkaid and Maxime Clermont to one-year, two-way contracts, according to a report by The Record.

Kinkaid, who turns 25 on Friday, is expected to battle veteran Scott Clemmensen, signed Tuesday to a one-year, two-way contract, for the backup job behind Schneider. Kinkaid went 24-13-5 with a 2.29 GAA, .912 save percentage and four shutouts last season for Albany of the American Hockey League.

Clermont, 22, split last season between the AHL and ECHL. He was 0-1-0 with a 2.00 GAA and .923 save percentage in two AHL games.