Martin Brodeur Likely To Test Free Agency, According To Report

(SB Nation) -- New Jersey Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur will likely the free agent market on July 1, according to a report from TSN, after "limited negotiations" with the team.The 40-year-old Brodeur has played his entire professional hockey career as a member of the Devils organization since being drafted by the club in the 1990 NHL Entry Draft.

Brodeur earned $5.2 million against the salary cap on his previous contract, originally signed back in 2006.

The news that Brodeur has decided to test the market is stunning. He's reiterated time and time again that the only place he'd like to play is New Jersey -- aside from perhaps his hometown, Montreal -- and for contract negotiations to come to a point where he's decided to look at what else might be out on the market is extremely surprising. It was always assumed that Brodeur's two options were either another year with the Devils or retirement.

Perhaps this is just a negotiating ploy, but the thought of Brodeur in anything but a Devils sweater is odd.

Brodeur helped the Devils win the Prince of Wales Trophy in 2012 as Eastern Conference champions. New Jersey lost in the Stanley Cup Finals in six games to the Los Angeles Kings. He won the Stanley Cup with the Devils in 1995, 2000 and 2003.