New Jersey Devils veteran goaltender Martin Brodeur could be wearing a new uniform when the puck is dropped for the 2012-13 season.
Brodeur, an unrestricted free agent on Sunday, has hired player agent Pat Brisson to represent him and might be ready to test his value on the open market.
The 40-year-old netminder has had limited conversation with the Devils on a new deal and though he could still re-sign with the only NHL team he's played for, his new agent says he will entertain offers from other teams if an agreement is not reached at the beginning of the free agent period.
"He will be testing free agency if a deal is not in place by Sunday," Brisson told TSN on Friday.
The Montreal native and three-time Stanley Cup champion was 31-21-4 with a 2.41 goals against average last season and helped lead the New Jersey Devils into the Stanley Cup Final where they were defeated in six games by the Los Angeles Kings.
Also on Friday, the club secured five players, including the entire fourth line -- Steve Bernier, Ryan Carter and Stephen Gionta -- that was put together in time for the playoffs and played a key role in victories over the Panthers, Rangers and Flyers. Also re-signed were forward Cam Janssen and defenceman Peter Harrold.
Bernier returns for a second season with the Devils despite his role in what proved to be the turning point of the sixth and decisive game of the Stanley Cup finals. Midway through the first period, Bernier was ejected and issued a major penalty for boarding after drilling Kings defenceman Rob Scuderi from behind.
Los Angeles capitalized by scoring three times during the 5-minute power play en route to a 6-1 victory.
Gionta, a 28-year-old NHL rookie, was a surprise contributor in the Devils' playoff run, posting three goals and four assists in playing in all 24 post-season games. He's the younger brother of former Devils forward Brian Gionta, who's now with Montreal.
Carter enters his second season with New Jersey after being claimed off waivers from Florida in October. He had four goals and eight points in 72 regular-season games last year, and added five goals, including two winners, and seven points in 23 playoff games.
Janssen had an assist in 48 regular-season games last year. Harrold had two assists in 11 games for the Devils last year.
