NEWARK, N.J. -- Even if New Jersey Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur wins his fourth Stanley Cup championship, he's leaning toward coming back next season.

Brodeur, 40, is slated to become a free agent at the end of the season. But the 18-year veteran has reiterated that he doesn't want to hang up his skates anytime soon.

"I'm really enjoying this," Brodeur told reporters after practice Monday. "Regardless of what happens this series, we made a great step last year, and we've got a good team together, a good coaching staff, and it's fun, you know?

"For me it's all about having fun coming to the rink. Some say it's fun to retire on top or whatever, but at the end of the day, when I'm gonna say it's over, it's gonna be over. I'm not gonna come back. We'll see. I hope you don't have to replay that tape there. And that's gonna be it, I wanna make sure I make the right decision. But right now, I'm leaning to coming back."