spdevils 18 KURDZUK

Swedish winger Mattias Tedenby will play in Russia next season.

(Tony Kurdzuk/The Star-Ledger)

LOS ANGELES — Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello confirmed that winger Mattias Tedenby and defenseman Alexander Urbom will play in Russia's KHL next season, but said both still figure in the NHL club's long-range plans.



Urbom has agreed to play for Severstal while Tedenby is close to signing a contract with Lev Praha for next season.



"I don't have an issue with that. We retain their rights," Lamoriello said via telephone. "They have signed there for a year. They felt they wanted to take a chance with it not working out here in New Jersey, so they're going to do that for a year. In the long run, they're still very young. We think they're prospects without question. We'll see what the year brings with them there."



The Devils plan to file qualifying offers for both to keep their NHL rights.



Lamoriello repeated his belief that Adam Larsson, a restricted free agent, is not interested in playing in Sweden and will re-sign with the Devils. The GM also said Jacob Josefson, also an RFA, remains in the picture and wants to stay in the NHL.



"We still feel he can play," Lamoriello said of Josefson.



Asked about defenseman Eric Gelinas and goalie Keith Kinkaid, Lamoriello said: "Nothing has been done yet. They are restricted free agents. We're working on those things."

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Lamoriello agreed that one of the biggest issues confronting the team this offseason is goaltending.



Cory Schneider is signed for one more season, but the Devils would like to sign him to an extension so they are not in the position of possibly losing him as an unrestricted free agent next summer.



And Martin Brodeur has said several times since the end of the season that he plans to test free agency. Although he hasn't ruled out staying with the Devils, he says it is likely he will sign elsewhere.



"It is certainly unique because it involves a player who, without question, is an icon with the career he's had," Lamoriello said. "We'll handle it accordingly and he and I will come up with the best solution."



Other teams can talk to potential unrestricted free agents beginning June 25, with the signing window opening July 1. Lamoriello would not discuss whether he'd want to keep Brodeur.



"I'm not going to get into any discussions on the thought process, pro or con," the GM said. "If a player wants to speak, that's his prerogative, but I'm not going to get into any discussions on the situations that are still open."



That includes Schneider.



"Cory is under contract for next year," Lamoriello said. "His signing long term was a priority and it still is. We'll work at whatever it takes to try and accomplish that."

Lamoriello was hesitant to say whether he felt Kinkaid could step in as Schneider's backup if Brodeur leaves.

"We'll make that decision at the time," he said.

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Among the Devils' unrestricted free agents are the entire fourth line of Ryan Carter, Steve Bernier and Stephen Gionta.

"We'll do what we can to retain them," Lamoriello said. "We'd like to keep the three."