NHL: Calgary Flames at New Jersey Devils

Devils goalie Cory Schneider would like to play 60 games next season.

(Ed Mulholland/USA Today)

LOS ANGELES — There have been discussions between Cory Schneider and the Devils regarding a contract extension beyond next season, but nothing will be done until there are reasonable assurances that he will be the team's No. 1 goalie by playing about 60 games per season.



Schneider told The Star-Ledger Friday that a decision on a potential extension does not hinge on whether Martin Brodeur returns to the Devils next season, simply on whether he is viewed as the club's long-term No. 1.



"Not necessarily. That's out of my control, but that's part of the discussions," Schneider said. "Not just him, per se, but anybody who they would want to bring in or call up. It's a discussion about if they want me to be the guy going forward, we have to figure out that part of it.



"It's not directly centered around Marty. We'll probably find out in a few weeks what is going to happen."



Aside from confirming there have been talks with general manager Lou Lamoriello, Schneider would not reveal any details. He could become an unrestricted free agent after the 2014-15 season.



"We've spoken a little bit. We had the usual talks at the end of the season," he said. "Mr. Lamoriello said I'd be a priority. It would be very un-Devil-like of me to discuss any negotiations, but both sides have talked and we've made it known what we'd like to do going forward.



"It's early June, so there is still plenty of time to continue talking. Right now there is nothing imminent to report. We've spoken a little bit."



Does he believe the Devils will hand him the baton?



"I have no reason to think otherwise," Schneider said. "We're probably about a month short of figuring out what is going to happen going forward. In five or six weeks I'll have more to say or dissect, but as of today and what I've heard from the team, hopefully I can sort of begin my career as a starter and earn it see what I can do."

It is nearing one year since the Devils acquired Schneider in a June 30, 2013, trade with the Vancouver Canucks for a first-round draft pick.



Schneider was frustrated sharing the goaltending in Vancouver with Roberto Luongo and was not thrilled with playing 45 games for the Devils last season. Brodeur played 39 and also had trouble handling the situation.



So, is Schneider's career in a better place one year later?



"I think we'll find out. I'm probably 50 or 75 games short of where I would have liked to be as far as career games-played," he said. "That's a result of splitting the time in goal in Vancouver as well as last year. I was hoping to step into that (No. 1 role) maybe a little earlier.



"As far as going forward, if I can start playing 60 games next year and go from there, it will be a great spot. You sit back and realize there are only 30 starting positions in the league. If you can have one of them, that's a good place to be. I'm looking to the future and what's going to happen next season and beyond that."