NHL Rumors I: Brodeur, Schneider, Laich and the Oilers
  • Tom Gulitti of the Bergon Record: Martin Brodeur expects to meet with his agent in the next week or so to discuss where his options could be for next season.

    “It’s going to be probably my last year,” the NHL’s all-time leader in wins and shutouts told The Record today. “You never know what kind of energy I’m going to get from my decision, but I’m not looking for anything more than one year that’s for sure.” “I’m going to give myself the opportunity to look at what’s out there and see if there’s something that’s interesting to me,” he said. “It doesn’t mean it’s not going to be in New Jersey, but I’m going to look everywhere, like I did two years ago. But now, the circumstances are a lot different with having Schneids here, so we’ll see.”

    Brodeur has a few places in mind where he might fit in. The Canadiens are not one of them. There could be options with the Blackhawks, Penguins, Blues and Sharks. Devils GM Lou Lamoriello has already started contract extension talks with Cory Schneider.

  • Tom Gulitti: From talking with Martin Brodeur yesterday: “1) He’s not sure where he’ll end up or what role will be, but “open to a lot of different things” 2) He really wants Devils to sign Cory Schneider to a contract extension. Wherever he finishes playing career, he’ll be back after.” Brodeur still wants the Devils to be good after he gone, “By no means do I want to impair any kind of situation just because I want to play.” If the Devils are going to be committed to Schneider, they can’t bring back Brodeur, even if he agrees to be the backup playing 20 games. 
  • Alex Prewitt of the Washington Post: Capitals GM Brian MacLellan says there have been “no discussions” about buying out Brooks Laich. Laich has a $4.5 million cap hit through 2016-17.
  • Mark Spector: Oilers GM Craig MacTavish is looking for a puck moving defenseman to take some pressure off of Justin Schultz and a bigger depth defenseman: “We’re looking at both extremes of our defence.”