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No Europe yet -- Brodeur holds out hope for lockout resolution

Los Angeles Kings v New Jersey Devils - Game Five

NEWARK, NJ - JUNE 09: Martin Brodeur #30 of the New Jersey Devils looks on during Game Five of the 2012 NHL Stanley Cup Final against the Los Angeles Kings at the Prudential Center on June 9, 2012 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

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Martin Brodeur isn’t ready to to rule out the possibility the NHL and NHLPA can come together on a new CBA sooner rather than later. As such, the future Hall of Fame goalie plans to stick around for a bit before he takes a job overseas.

“I’m going to wait it out until October, when they’re going to start slashing games, and try to have a sense of where it’s going,” Brodeur, 40, told ESPN Thursday. “I know I’m closing doors in Europe now because I’m going to wait a little bit, but I’d like to go somewhere to play by November if I can get an opportunity somewhere. Right now, I have no intention of going because while there’s still lines of communication [between the NHL and NHLPA], it’s still a positive thing.”

This is the fourth time Brodeur’s been involved in an NHL work stoppage (three lockouts and a strike), so his reluctance to go to Europe straight away could be seen as a positive sign. Remember that for the first few months of the 2004-05 lockout, the two sides didn’t speak at all. Perhaps he feels the divide is narrower this time and a resolution more likely.

Of course, his reluctance to go to Europe may also be related to other factors. For instance, after leading the Devils all the way to the Stanley Cup finals in June, he’s had less time to rest than most NHLers. Plus, we doubt he needs the money.

Brodeur stayed in North America during the 2004-05 lockout.