The NHL's all-time winningest goalie, Martin Brodeur, has hired agent Pat Brisson as unrestricted free agency beckons Sunday and he remains without a new contract from the Devils. "He will be testing free agency if a deal is not in place by Sunday," Brisson told ESPN.com via email Friday.

Veteran forward Alex Kovalev told the Montreal Gazette on Thursday he would like to play the 2012-13 season for one of his former NHL teams, with the Canadiens his top choice. "Hopefully, I'll find an NHL team," said Kovalev, 39. "The preference is always going to be a team I've played on because you know the environment. "And I'd definitely like to come back to Montreal. They're all about the young guys, but I can help in all different ways. And I can still play. I have a lot of energy."

With the Devils' season over and free agency only weeks away, there are several questions facing Zach Parise and his future with the team. He answered one of those Wednesday when he ruled out playing for the rival Rangers. Asked three times whether he'd consider playing for the Rangers, Parise was unwavering in his responses. "No."

CSNPhilly.com's Tim Panaccio reported Wednesday that Jaromir Jagr would like to return to the Flyers in 2012-13 and that the two sides are working on another one-year deal. Jagr, 40, had 19 goals and 35 assists in 73 regular-season games before going 1-7-8 in 11 postseason contests. "I've talked to Jaromir and I have talked to [Flyers GM] Paul [Holmgren] and we hope to get something done before the draft," agent Petr Svoboda told the website.

Two years ago, the Russian prospect Vladimir Tarasenko convinced the Blues that he wanted to play in the NHL, not the KHL, when he was ready. They used the No. 16 overall pick in the 2010 draft on the forward and despite lucrative offers to stay in Russia, Tarasenko is delivering on his promise. The Blues and Tarasenko have agreed in principal to a contract he'll sign in July as soon as the CBA allows.