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Devils goalie Martin Brodeur says he'd be receptive to sharing the goalie duties.

(William Perlman/The Star-Ledger)

Devils goalie Martin Brodeur has one year remaining on his contract.



That doesn't mean he's going to call it quits after next season.



"No, not at all. It's the last year of my contract. That's about it," Brodeur said. "This year, even though we didn't make the playoffs, I had a great time playing the game. I really had a good time competing at the level I wanted to compete at. If it stays like that and I'm still having fun, who knows what's going to happen?

“So I’m not putting a decision in my mind. Two or three years ago it was harder to make that decision. Now, we have a chance to win every game and the coaches make it fun to come to the rink.”

Brodeur said he could envision himself eventually sharing the goalie duties more than he does now.



"Yes. When you get to a certain age it's a little harder to practice, practice and then play. For me the last few years have been more of a challenge to get ready for games," he said.



"When I went to free agency (last summer) some of the conversations I had with teams was (about) sharing with certain guys. It seemed to be okay at the time. I know it's going to happen. I'm not playing hockey because I need to. It's because I like it. I know when it's out of my life it's something I'll miss."



So he isn't thinking about walking away even after the 2013-14 season.



"We'll see if the body holds up. It's getting harder and harder," he noted. "I'm going to get there eventually. There's no doubt about that. The key is people want you to be here. I'm not going to beg for a job, that's for sure. But if somebody wants you here and you still like it, why not?"

Brodeur, who turns 41 on May 6, had no recurrence of the pinched nerve in his upper back and neck.



"Zero. Knock on wood," he said. "The way hockey is now, kids are shooting high. I did the similar move that I got injured on and afterwards there was nothing."

Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello said he is content with having Brodeur and Johan Hedberg as his two goalies next season.

* * *

Lamoriello confirmed the team will be keeping its first-round pick in the June 30 NHL entry draft June 30 at Prudential Center.

“Yes,” Lamoriello said.

Was it a factor because the draft is in New Jersey?

“No.”

Because the Devils will have a top 10 pick?

“Yes.”

Brodeur be at the draft.



"I'll be here. My son (Jeremy) is really excited. I know it's a long shot for him to get drafted. But if he does, it would be awesome."



And will he watch the playoffs?



"I will eventually. I don't think I will in the first round," Brodeur said. "When it comes down to it, hockey is a great sport and it's fun to watch. It's the best thing you can watch on TV probably. If the right teams are out of the playoffs, I'll be really happy. Then I'll watch the other ones."

* * *

David Clarkson talked about unrestricted free agency.



"It'll be new to me. I'm still going to go and have my meetings here and see what is said," Clarkson said. "It's obviously something I think about. I'd be lying if I said it's not. I'm going to enjoy this summer and just take it step by step."

* * *

Krys Barch, who played 22 games, said it was the toughest season of his career.



"It was the hardest year of my life in hockey," Barch said. "Decisions are out of my hands and I'm not one to go into the office and talk or yell at somebody. It was just hard for me looking across the ice and seeing what other teams are dressing. Sometimes other guys on the team ask why I'm not playing. I never aksed throughout the year. It's just not my style. There are guys who go in and, for personal reasons, create a distraction for the team. I've always been positive. The team always comes first."



Has one year on contract and wants to come back.



"Oh, yeah. Just personally, mentally, it was very difficult going through it, was very difficult. I've been in situations where you sit out three or four games, but not 18 in a row. I've never experienced that in my life."

* * *

Captain Bryce Salvador said he will not require surgery on his hand and wrist, where he was struck by a Zdeno Chara shot on April 10.



"That saves me 4-5 weeks. I'll probably be cleared in a week or so. One more follow-up and no surgery. Just to see how the wrist is. a little rehab just to get the strength back. If I take any good news out of the season it would be that."



Looking at the positive, Salvador said he the Devils will have time to sort out what went wrong and decide on which players to re-sign.



"We have to take this time as a group and really prepare for next year. We have the time this year," the defenseman said. "Knowing that we have some uncertainty this summer I think the key is really to focus and reflect back on different parts of the season. There were some games where the PK wasn't as strong as it was last year. It win us some games last year. And the big strength last year was (shootout) wins. We left some points on the table from that aspect."



And all the unrestricted free agents?



"There is always turnover. There are always things that happen in the summer," he said. "Last year was the whole Zach saga. If any summer was uncertain it was last summer. Lou has some work to do but I don't think he'll feel so rushed this time. Last time we finished and it was 2-3 weeks to the draft and then free agency."

Brodeur wondered if it will be a very different team next season.

“It’s a big possibility. I think re-signing every single player will be hard,” the goalie said. “You expect always to have a similar core of players. You don’t know what kind of direction the team will take, but knowing what Lou is all about he’ll try to get something for us to get back in the playoffs. There’s no doubt about that.”

Brodeur on missing the playoffs: “I think it hits you more when you start thinking about what’s going to happen in the playoffs, the matchups and the teams that are playing. You realize a little more that it’s a missed opportunity. Not having many more left it’s always disappointing not being able to play in the playoffs.”

* * *

Lamoriello said he is happy former Devils assistant coach Adam Oates is having success with the Washington Capitals.

“I couldn’t be more pleased,” Lamoriello said. “Adam was great for us here. He’s a quality human being. It was like he was a Devil the day he walked in. It’s great he stuck with it (in Washington) after a tough beginning. I’m happy for him.”