Just two weeks shy of his 40th birthday, Brendan Shanahan is headed back to where it all started.
The all-but-certain Hall of Fame forward agreed in principle to a deal with the Devils on Saturday that will return him to New Jersey, the team that chose him with the No. 2 pick in the 1987 NHL draft.
Shanahan hasn't played since finishing his second season with the New York Rangers last spring. He hoped to remain with the Rangers -- who knocked out New Jersey in the first round of last year's playoffs -- after becoming an unrestricted free agent, but Shanahan grew tired of waiting for an offer.
He had discussions with the Devils in September, general manager Lou Lamoriello said, but the timing wasn't right to sign him.
Shanahan, who will turn 40 on Jan. 23, also talked to the Philadelphia Flyers.
"He certainly will not be rushed into anything," Lamoriello said during a conference call. "The coaches will determine when he is ready. I do not feel that age is a factor. I have had players who were 25 going on 50 and players who were 35 going on 25. I feel that Brendan is in the latter part."
Lamoriello spoke with Shanahan's agent this week and then met with the left winger in person on Friday. They talked again Saturday and agreed that Shanahan would join the Devils once he is in game shape.
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Contract details still have to be worked out in the coming days, but Lamoriello doesn't expect that to be a problem.
Shanahan will continue skating on his own at the Devils' facilities. There is no timetable for him to join coach Brent Sutter's lineup that has struggled recently.
"I have tremendous respect for what Brendan can bring and what he has brought," Lamoriello said. "The major impetus of this was to bring (him) to our power play and specialty teams, which has really been a forte of his in recent years.
"We felt extremely strong that Brendan could add to that, plus what he brings to the overall lineup with experience."
Shanahan has 650 goals and 1,340 points in 1,490 NHL games in 21 seasons. He ranks 11th on the career goal list, 24th in points, and is a three-time Stanley Cup champion -- all with the Detroit Red Wings.
