Martin Brodeur is a man without a team. The New Jersey Devils finally made a decision and moved on without Brodeur, meaning that the 42-year-old goaltender is free to sign with any team which wants his services. A few teams were linked to Brodeur, but nothing formally developed. With the summer rolling on and rumors surrounding Brodeur drying up, the veteran’s agent mentions that a deal may come this summer or potentially after the 2014-15 season is underway.
Here’s the report, via Fire and Ice:
“On or around July 1, we explored a few possibilities for Marty that made somewhat sense. That didn’t come to fruition. Marty has a lot to offer, but it will be the right fit and this may come later this summer or even early in the season. He is in no rush until the right fit appears.
In the meantime he is getting ready the same way he has the past 20 seasons.”
Most players prefer to close out their career on a high note. Brodeur’s career may be ending on a whimper. Given the list of veteran goaltenders still out there (Bryzgalov, Thomas, etc.), there may not even be a need for Brodeur until the 2014-15 season is in full swing. Is that – mop up duty or an emergency replacement – the way Brodeur’s storied career should end?
If Brodeur doesn’t sign with a team prior to the official start of the season, that should be a pretty good indicator that it’s time to hang it up.
