Just days away from free agency, we all know and have come to expect silly rumors to come out from fake accounts and random fans, but two New Jersey Devils related rumors came out today from reputable sources and Devils fans won't want to hear them. Here are some notes on those rumors as well as some other Devils related topics.

- Given Martin Brodeur has won three Stanley Cups with the Devils and has played his whole career with the team, I'll start with him. Brodeur has hired agent Pat Brisson, who represents Sidney Crosby, among others, to represent him. Brisson has told Darren Dreger of TSN that if Brodeur isn't re-signed by Sunday he will test free agency and listen to offers.

Brodeur represented himself before hiring Brisson, so this is not in the least bit good news for New Jersey. Brodeur hiring Brisson means one of two things:

1. Brodeur wants to squeeze more money from the Devils and he's using Brisson to do so.
2. If the Devils don't or can't give Brodeur what he wants, he'll have a top agent to help him land a good contract elsewhere.

I can't believe I'm writing this, but should Brodeur test free agency some possible suitors are the Toronto Maple Leafs, which is the best bet if he doesn't stay in New Jersey, in my opinion. I expect the Florida Panthers, Chicago Blackhawks and possibly even the Edmonton Oilers would also express interest.

While I still expect Brodeur to re-sign, there is no positive from a Devils perspective of him hiring an agent.

- Pierre LeBrun of ESPN/TSN is reporting that Zach Parise will likely test free agency and listen to offers, while very much so keeping the Devils in the mix. I think if the Devils can offer an amount of term and money even close to some of the other teams in the mix he'll be back, but I'm starting to question if they have the money to offer.

With that said, if the Devils can offer him a nice chunk of money and Parise does test free agency, it's very possible that he returns. Keep in mind Ilya Kovalchuk tested free agency a couple of years ago and returned to the Devils. Patrik Elias did it a few years before that.

- Thanks to Brodeur and Parise I'm not going to touch on this too much but the Devils have re-signed Ryan Carter and Steve Bernier. Expect an announcement from the team in the next day or two. I contacted Stephen Gionta's agent, Stephen Barlett, and he told me negotiations were progressing well so expect the entire 4th line back.

UPDATE: Stephen Gionta, Ryan Carter, Steve Bernier and Peter Harrold have all been re-signed. According to Tom Gulitti, Gionta's extension is for two-years. The first year is a one-way deal and the second year is a two-way deal. Bernier's extension is for two years worth 750K per. It's a one-way contract. No other information has been released.

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