NHL Free Agency: Will Martin Brodeur Leave the New Jersey Devils?

With all the attention on captain Zach Parise, the New Jersey Devils may have a problem on their hands with re-signing goaltender Martin Brodeur.

According to TSN's Darren Dreger, Brodeur has hired Pat Brisson to represent him through this offseason. Brodeur hasn't had to hire representation in years, which seems to mean that he is ready to talk to other teams around the NHL.

This is something that many fans did not expect, especially because of Brodeur's 20-year tenure and recent Stanley Cup run. However, after the season he had between the pipes, there will be teams out there willing to sign him away from New Jersey.

The goaltender market is quickly becoming dry, which is something Brodeur could leverage in negotiations. Ondrej Pavelec, Jonathan Quick, Tuukka Rask and Corey Schnieder have all signed extensions with their teams over the past two weeks, leaving the market without much quality goaltending going into July 1.

Brodeur made $5.2 million this season, which most people would consider high for a 40 year old goaltender. However, with the lack of goaltending talent available in free agency, Marty could land himself a quality contract worth at least $3-4 million for one year.

This leaves the Devils with a problem. With only $28 million in cap space to work with, it will become difficult for GM Lou Lamoriello to sign both Parise and Brodeur to large contracts while still keeping the rest of the team around them. Because of the Kovalchuk contract and the recent Sidney Crosby extension, Parise is likely going to demand somewhere between $7-8 million per year.

The only other option the Devils have is Johan Hedberg, but he is also 40 years old and has the ability to test the free agent market if he pleases. Hedberg played lights out as a backup this season, so he has the chance to get a new deal from another team. Tomas Vokoun was traded from Washington to Pittsburgh to be a backup, so anything can happen at this point.

New Jersey also has young talent in the AHL, but they missed out on G Malcom Subban at the draft and the Devils' prospects are still a few years away from making an impact in the NHL. Scott Wedgewood and Keith Kinkaid will probably become quality goaltenders in the future, but the Devils were likely banking on Brodeur coming back for another season.

There is still a chance that Brodeur signs a new contract by Sunday, but if he is looking for representation this close to the deadline, it seems as though the Hall of Fame goaltender will likely test the market.