Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

Lamoriello believes he’s closing in on Schneider extension

Cory Schneider

New Jersey Devils goaltender Cory Schneider signs a stick as the NHL hockey team clean out their lockers Monday, April 14, 2014, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

AP

New Jersey Devils GM Lou Lamoriello told the Bergen Record that he might be close to crossing off a big item on his offseason to-do list: re-signing goalie Cory Schneider.

“It’s a work in progress and we’re getting closer and closer,” Lamoriello said. “Hopefully, we’ll have that done in the very near future.”

Schneider, 28, has one year remaining on his contract, which carries a $4 million cap hit. It’s really not a bad time to lock the netminder up, as Martin Brodeur’s apparent departure makes it clear that he’ll get his wish about being the clear No. 1 guy for the 2014-15 season (if not longer).

As the Bergen Record notes, the Devils’ backup job is likely to come down to veteran Scott Clemmensen (experienced, but on a two-way deal) and rookie Keith Kinkaid. On paper, that provides very little competition for Schneider and adds that much more incentive for a longer-term commitment.ay

Than again, Schneider might want a full season as an unquestioned starter to drive up his negotiating value.

Schneider has a great career save percentage (.925), with that track record carrying over to his tug-o-war with Martin Brodeur last season, even if his record (16-15-12) doesn’t fall in line with that strong .921 save percentage. A little more luck (12 wins on the table, including an odd run of shootout futility for the Devils) and he can enjoy a better record and individual stats.

Either way, there’s a good chance that the Devils and Schneider eventually will get what they want.

(H/T to Rotoworld.)

Follow James O’Brien @cyclelikesedins