"If they want to give me the opportunity, I won't hesitate to take it."

NEWARK, N.J. -- Like it or not, there will come a time when future Hall of Fame goalie Martin Brodeur decides to call it a career.

It even could be at the conclusion of the 2011-12 season, when the NHL's all-time leader in regular-season wins, shutouts, games played and numerous other marks has played the final season of the six-year deal he signed prior to the start of the 2006-07 season. Whenever the inevitable does occur, who takes over between the pipes?

Will the Devils consider someone from outside the organization? Or do they begin a new era from within?

Perhaps one of the four goaltenders in attendance, including Jeff Frazee (second round, 2005), Scott Wedgewood (third round, 2010), Maxime Clermont (sixth round, 2010) or Keith Kinkaid (free agent, 2011), one day will fill that huge void along the goal line.

"Goalies are funny … you never know when they're going to come forward," Devils General Manager Lou Lamoriello said. "But we've been extremely pleased with Clermont and Wedgewood. They both had very good years with the teams they played for. I know (goalie coaches) Chris (Terreri) and Jacques (Caron) have been very impressed by them."

"Goalies take a lot longer (to develop) than players … I've come to realize that," Wedgewood told NHL.com. "I'm not going to be in there in a year or two; it's just a waiting game for goalies. It takes longer for us to evolve. But with Brodeur and Hedberg here, there is time. Brodeur has set the records for everything. People have said their contracts are coming to an end next year, but what does that mean? What will happen? It's up to Lou (Lamoriello) and the coaching staff. All I can do is show them my game, show them what I can do. If they want to give me the opportunity, I won't hesitate to take it."

"I want to play in the NHL; that's why I'm here and that's why I wake up every day," Clermont told NHL.com. "It's the job I want to have, but I have to go step by step. Now I feel I'm ready to turn pro. I've played four years of junior and I think it's enough for me. I have to show them what I can do."

Clermont, born in Brodeur's hometown of Montreal, went 30-10-5 with a 2.55 GAA and .896 save percentage in 2010-11.

For more on this article by Mike G. Morreale of NHL.com Click Here.

"If they want to give me the opportunity, I won't hesitate to take it."