Martin Brodeur to Decide on Potential Return By July 1
Fitzgerald Cecilio

Martin Brodeur (Photo by flickr/slgckgc)

Veteran goaltender Martin Brodeur has given himself until July 1 to make a firm decision if he will return to the New Jersey Devils or test the free-agent market next season.

"I'm not saying I'm going to go after midnight, but for me that's the date. I'm going to take a little time off -- I'll be back in Jersey until late June -- and I'll figure it out then," Brodeur told espn.com after the Devils 6-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals.

The 40-year-old Brodeur will be a free agent July 1 as the six-year, $31.2 million deal that he signed in 2006 ended this season.

"I don't see myself at all doing that (testing the free agent market)," Brodeur said. "But again, I think circumstances are out of my hands. You never know, I guess. I don't want to. It definitely would have to be something really weird that I'm going to do that."

While he hinted that he is not considering playing elsewhere besides New Jersey, where he played his entire career, Brodeur said he wants to have some time to think before fully committing to a comeback.

"The Devils is what I am, what I believe in and this is where I want to be," he said.

Brodeur said the Devils should prioritize the re-signing of franchise winger and captain Zach Parise, who like him, will also be a free agent July 1.

"I think Zach is a big thing to the organization. They have to take care of that first. There's no doubt about that," Brodeur said. "They need to try to lock him in and lure him into staying."

But Brodeur clarified that Parise will not have an impact on his decision.

Despite the loss, Brodeur is encouraged by the team's direction and level of play that brought them deep into the playoffs.

"I feel real good. I was two games away (from) winning a Stanley Cup. A lot of clutch games I needed to play well and I did," he said. "I like the team in front of me and the system we play in -- that really helps my game as far as handling the puck and doing different things.

Larry Murphy discusses the future of the New Jersey Devils