Report: With Devils' Front Office Shakeup, Brodeur's Return As Executive In Limbo

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- He was supposed to eventually be offered a front office job with the Devils, but now it looks like it may be years before it happens, if ever.

Speaking to NorthJersey.com's Fire & Ice blog on Monday, Martin Brodeur said recent developments appear to have changed the legendary goaltender's post-playing-days career path.

Now that Lou Lamoriello has ceded the general manager's job to Ray Shero, Brodeur said he senses the Devils are heading in a different direction and he may not fit into their plans, at least right now. As a result, he said he may return to the St. Louis Blues as an executive.

"Especially with the change (the Devils) made, I think it's a great opportunity for me to take a step back and go somewhere – or stay somewhere – that I'll be able to learn and do things I want to do and try to learn as much as possible and who knows what the future," Brodeur said. "But, it's less and less likely it's going to happen in New Jersey for a few years, that's for sure."

The NHL's all-time leader with 688 wins and 124 shutouts, Brodeur, 43, was the backbone of three Stanley Cup-winning teams and captured the Vezina Trophy, awarded to the league's top goalie, four times during his 22 years with the Devils. However, when it became apparent last offseason that New Jersey was ready to fully commit to Cory Schneider as its starter, Brodeur weighed his options before signing on with St. Louis.

Brodeur played in seven games for the Blues before retiring at the end of January, and then was named special assistant to GM Doug Armstrong for the remainder of the season. He said that experience was the start of his preparation for a second career as a mover and shaker behind the scenes.

"It was a lot of fun. I think I've learned a lot and it's definitely something I'd like to continue," Brodeur said. "We'll see what's going to happen in the next few weeks. It was a good experience. I got to meet a lot of good people and get a lot of good advice. It was a little overwhelming at first when I started it. I think I get the concept a little more now. I've still got a lot of stuff to learn, but it was good."

Though Lamoriello is staying on as the Devils' president of hockey operations, Brodeur said he has no familiarity with Shero.

"I don't know the new GM that's there," Brodeur said. "I haven't talked to anybody in New Jersey actually. That's something that if they want to talk to me, I'm here. But, we haven't talked at all."

Shero told reporters last week he doesn't know Brodeur either, but added he was going to reach out to Armstrong to gauge the situation.

Though Brodeur's contract with St. Louis was just for the remainder of the 2014-15 season, he said he did all of the managerial things required of his position in preparation for the offseason and, if retained, would be ready to re-assume his duties without a hitch.

"We kind of went along that I was going to stay and then after that we'll figure out what we're going to do," Brodeur said. "So, definitely the draft, the combine, the meetings with the scouts and everything. All the organizations do the same thing. If I decide to go back there, I'm ready for it. I've got all the dates I need to do.

"I left for Florida and (Armstrong) and he left for the world championships and we're going to meet next week and there will be a decision made next week, but I have a strong feeling I'll be staying there at least for a little bit," he added.