Cory Schneider will be the New Jersey Devils' starting goaltender against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday night, according to Pete Deboer on Wednesday afternoon.
Cory Schneider to start for Devils in season opener
Cory Schneider will make his debut with the New Jersey Devils against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday night.
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Deboer stated that Martin Brodeur will start the team's home opener against the New York Islanders on Friday night and explained that he wanted to give Brodeur an "extra day." The coach previously said that Brodeur would be the club's starting goaltender to open the regular season, which many assumed meant Schneider would start the following night against the Islanders.
Beyond the extra day of preparation, it remains unspecified why Deboer decided to change his mind.
Brodeur and Schneider are both considered No. 1 goaltenders, with Schneider likely acting as the club’s goaltender of the future once Brodeur decides to retire. The 41-year-old future hall of famer is entering the final year of a two-year, $9 million contract but has not addressed his plans beyond this year.
Schneider previously acted as Roberto Luongo's backup with the Vancouver Canucks and entered last season as the club's No. 1 goaltender. Despite the organization's public backing as starter, Schneider was ultimately traded to the Devils at June's draft for the No. 9 overall selection, which was used to select Bo Horvat of the London Knights.
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