New Jersey Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello acknowledged Wednesday he isn't surprised unrestricted free-agent goalie Martin Brodeur has yet to sign a contract with a new team.
"When you've been in the game for as long as I have, you're not surprised at anything," Lamoriello told reporters after announcing the signing of defenseman Andy Greene to a multiyear contract extension.
The seven-year extension given to Cory Schneider earlier this month and the signing of veteran Scott Clemmensen on July 1 seemingly have closed the book on Brodeur's career with the Devils. Schneider will be the Devils' starting goalie in 2014-15, and Brodeur, who considers himself a No. 1 at age 42, has no interest in playing 20-25 games.
Brodeur acknowledged after the 2013-14 season he would prefer to sign with a contending team willing to give him playing time. That could mean 30-40 games, something the Devils weren't going to promise.
"Marty and I have come to an agreement that is best for both himself and the organization, and there's nothing negative about that," Lamoriello said. "Marty knows what it is to be a No. 1 goalie and to have that feeling, and that's what he wants. Cory feels the same way.
"I think it's time to move forward, but never negate what Marty has brought [to the Devils], nor was the door ever shut. It was a mutual understanding of what was best for both parties. Marty will always be a Devil and the communication with him is still there, even recently."
Brodeur won the Stanley Cup three times, the Vezina Trophy four times, and set nearly every significant NHL goaltending mark during 21 seasons with the Devils. He finished 47th in save percentage (.901) among NHL goalies who appeared in at least 25 games last season and hasn't finished with a save percentage better than .908 since his .916 in 2009-10.
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