Brodeur willing to be Canadiens' backup: report

Goaltender Martin Brodeur said this week he'd be willing to play this season as the backup to Carey Price with the Montreal Canadiens.

"If the Canadiens made me an offer, it goes without saying that I would listen to what they have to offer me," Brodeur said, according to the QMI Agency.

Brodeur, an unrestricted free agent, said several times previously he was looking to be a No. 1 goalie but would consider a lesser role if it were with a contender.

Montreal reached the Eastern Conference Final last season, where it lost in six games to the New York Rangers with backup goalie Dustin Tokarski in place of Price, who was injured. The Canadiens also have Peter Budaj under contract.

"This is Carey Price's team," Brodeur said. "I would definitely still want to be the No. 1 goalie, but it wouldn't bother me to play in only 20 to 25 games during the season if I know I'll have fun playing within a winning team."

Brodeur, a Montreal native, told Northjersey.com in June that the Canadiens were "not too much on my radar." It is not believed the Canadiens have negotiated with Brodeur.

Brodeur, who turned 42 on May 6, has said he expected the 2014-15 season would be his last. He was 19-14-6 last season with a 2.51 goals-against average and .901 save percentage. His 688 regular-season victories and 124 shutouts are NHL records.

"I would like to play one last season before retiring and I want to have fun doing it," he said.