Devils' Schneider hopes to bounce back, isn't planning to retire

Despite battling multiple injuries over the last few seasons, New Jersey Devils netminder Cory Schneider is not considering hanging up his pads in the near future.

"It's all about trying to be in peak physical condition because I feel good, mentally," Schneider told NHL.com's Mike Morreale. "I want to continue my career. I haven't entertained thoughts of retirement at all."

Schneider had surgery to repair a core muscle injury after the 2015-16 season. Two years later, he had another procedure to repair torn cartilage in his hip.

Before the injuries, Schneider was one of the game's elite goaltenders. He posted a 2.14 goals-against average and .924 save percentage while averaging 56 starts per campaign over his first three seasons with the Devils from 2013-16. Over the four seasons since the core muscle surgery, the netminder owns a 2.96 goals-against average and .906 save percentage while starting an average of 33 games.

The 34-year-old hit rock bottom in 2019-20, going 3-6-2 with a 3.53 goals-against average and .887 save percentage. He was sent down to the AHL on two different occasions.

Even with 23-year-old MacKenzie Blackwood showing the promise of a capable long-term starter, Schneider still thinks he can be a contributor to the rebuilding Devils.

"I have two years left on my contract and my obligation and my goal is to do that and see where it goes from there," he said. "I'm not naive to the business side of things, but feel that when I'm playing well, I can do a lot for our team on the ice and off the ice. That's the role that I want to fill."

The veteran is signed through the 2021-22 season with a $6-million cap hit. The Devils could buy him out for $2 million against the cap through 2023-24, according to CapFriendly.

Schneider was acquired from the Vancouver Canucks in the 2013 offseason in exchange for the ninth overall pick in that year's draft, which turned into Bo Horvat. Then-general manager Lou Lamoriello signed the goaltender to a seven-year, $42-million deal the following summer.