Brodeur says Schneider 'is in the net now to stay'

New Jersey Devils goalie Martin Brodeur told reporters Wednesday that Cory Schneider will likely assume the role as the team's No. 1 for the foreseeable future.

After practice Wednesday, Devils coach Peter DeBoer announced that Schneider, 27, would make his third straight start for the Devils on Thursday against the Vancouver Canucks at Prudential Center.

Brodeur told Rich Chere of The (Newark) Star-Ledger that Schneider "is in the net now to stay."

"I don't see that's going to change any time soon," Brodeur told Chere. "I'll be ready if it does. We have to try and win some games somehow. This is what [DeBoer] feels is the best opportunity to be successful, having him in the net. That's fine. If we win, everybody is happy. Even though I don't play, it's more enjoyable to be around."

Though many around the organization figured this decision would come at some point, it is a bit surprising that it is happening so soon. The Devils have struggled with a 1-5-3 mark through the opening nine games.

Brodeur, 41, who has served as the Devils' No. 1 goalie the past 20 seasons, is 0-2-2 with a 3.40 goals-against average and .865 save percentage. Schneider, who posted his first shutout in a Devils jersey Saturday in a 4-0 win against the New York Rangers, is 1-3-1 with a 2.21 goals-against average and .917 save percentage.

"It's never easy," DeBoer said. "We've got two very good goalies at different points in their careers. One is the greatest goalie of all time and the other guy is a legitimate starter in this League. That situation is never easy.

"I think both guys have handled it very professionally so far. It hasn't been an issue."

Schneider, who was acquired in a trade with the Canucks on June 30 at the 2013 NHL Draft, made a career-high 33 appearances with Vancouver in 2011-12, finishing with career bests in victories (20), goals-against average (1.96) and save percentage (.937).

Brodeur holds NHL career goalie records for games played (1,224), victories (669), shutouts (121) and minutes played (72,033).

"Over the last three years, I haven't played as many games," Brodeur said. "It's somewhat of a transition, but definitely it's not fun. You don't play hockey, especially at the age I am, to just sit on the bench and hang out. It was fun [in practice on Wednesday]. I had a blast. But ask me that in two months. I don't know if I'll say the same thing."