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Talks between the New Jersey Devils and soon-to-be franchise goaltender Cory Schneider are underway, according to Rich Chere of the Star Ledger.

While Lou Lamoriello rarely re-signs players a year before they're eligible to hit free agency, this could be one of the times he he makes an exception.

Lamoriello made it well known in his exit meeting with the media that re-signing Schneider was at or near the top of his priority list, so it's no surprise he's looking to take care of business early.

Schneider mentioned to Chere any time you can re-sign in a situation where you're the No. 1 guy you're in a great spot, but Schneider won't put pen to paper until he's assured that he is the undisputed No. 1 goaltender.

Schneider told The Star-Ledger Friday that a decision on a potential extension does not hinge on whether Martin Brodeur returns to the Devils next season, simply on whether he is viewed as the club’s long-term No. 1.

“Not necessarily. That’s out of my control, but that’s part of the discussions,” Schneider said. “Not just him, per se, but anybody who they would want to bring in or call up. It’s a discussion about if they want me to be the guy going forward, we have to figure out that part of it.

I think Schneider is smart to be weary a little bit. He won't say it, but if Brodeur returns it'll make this situation a lot more complicated than it needs to be. The allure Brodeur carries along with the reputation will demand a certain amount of starts even if he's not playing overly well. Schneider deserves 60+ starts, and if Brodeur comes back - even if he admits he's a backup - I'm sure he'd want at least 25-30 starts.

Based off his elite numbers since entering the league, I speculated it would take at least six years and around $6 million per season - give or take a few hundred thousand - before Schneider would be willing to agree to terms and ink an extension with the team.

It'l be interesting to see the numbers when an extension is reached. Based off Lamoriello's apparent urgency to re-sign Schneider, I don't think we'll have to wait too long to find see them.

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