Sergei Brylin speaks

I was a bit surprised when the phone rang about 25 minutes ago and Sergei Brylin was on the other end when I picked up. It's been talked about for a while, but Brylin confirmed that he agreed to a three-year contract with SKA St. Petersburg in the Russian Continental League, "10 days ago."

"It's not something I thought I was going to do, but they came up with a good offer for me and I'm pretty happy with it," Brylin said. "It's a good change. It's something that will shake things up for a little bit. I was fortunate to play for the Devils for my entire career and it's probably time to change."

Brylin is in New Jersey for a couple of days to pack up his belongings before heading back to Russia to get ready for the season, which starts much earlier there. He finally revealed what happened in his meeting with Lou Lamoriello on June 23 in New Jersey.

The sides met to discuss the $1.52 million option year on his contract. Brylin was looking for a two-year contract instead. When Lamoriello wouldn't budge on that, Brylin asked him not to pick up the option because he felt his role with the team would keep him from getting a new contract after next season.

"I got a feeling that I wasn't part of the future plans for the Devils and I told Lou that if I play another year like I did last year, then it will be tough for me to find a team next year to get a job," Brylin said. ""We kind of agreed and he agreed not to extend my contract."

After being utilized in many roles in previous seasons with the Devils, Brylin was limited mostly to fourth-line and penalty-killing duty last season and saw his ice time cut to 13:32 game. His totals of six goals and 16 points were his lowest for a full NHL season.

"I didn't play the way I played before," Brylin said. "I knew that if I played another year like this, it was going to be pretty much over for me, so I knew it was the right thing for me to go and find another team."

Brylin still wasn't sure that Lamoriello wouldn't pick up the option until July 1. He said that initially his contract only included a player option for 2008-09, but the NHL rejected the contract, so the team option was added.

He admitted he's disappointed how his 13-season Devils' career ended.

"It's not that way I wanted to leave this team," he said. "I played my entire career here and this team means a lot to me and I thought I would leave a different way."

Brylin said "a few" NHL teams called after he became an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

"But the offer I got from St. Petersburg was the best offer of all," he said.

Brylin said former Devil Igor Larionov, who was recently named SKA St. Petersburg's director of hockey operations, was instrumental in recruiting him. "We talked on the phone a few times before I made my decision," he said. Playing for head coach Barry Smith, a former Red Wings assistant, also was a factor.

"St. Petersburg was more interested in me than any other team," he said. "It's going to be interesting to go back to where I started with my roots and the new league and new rules and the things they wanted to change. Hopefully, that league is going to get better and better."

Brylin, 34, finished his Devils' career with 129 goals, 179 assists and 308 points in 765 games. He played in the Devils' last 328 regular season games, which is the second-longest consecutive-games streak in team history.

Brylin is one of five players to play on all three of the Devils' three Stanley Cup championship teams -- Scott Stevens, Ken Daneyko, Scott Niedermayer and Martin Brodeur are the other four. Brylin's departure leaves Brodeur as the only one still playing for the team.

"The three Cups are special and there were a lot of great moments over the years," said Brylin, who as just a 21-year-old rookie when he came up from the minors to help the Devils win their first championship. "The first Cup we won in 1995 was probably the most amazing one because I was a young kid who came from Russia and played in Albany most of the year because of the lockout and definitely winning the Stanley Cup was something special for me."

Brylin hasn't ruled out returning to the NHL someday, though he knows it's probably unlikely because he'll be 37 when his contract expires.

"Who knows?" he said. "I never thought I would be going back to Russia and I am, so I don't know for sure. But I think it's going to be tough to find a team when you're 37."

He's not thinking about coming back and rejoining the Devils someday after his playing career is over, though.

"I don't know. We'll see," he said. "All of my thoughts are about my new team and my family. We have to make a lot of decisions about where we're going to live and the schools (for his two children). I never thought about that. Let's see what's going to happen in the next three years and we'll go from there."

Comments

[Elias26]

i wish him luck & hope he comes back and works for the Devs some day.

[jdr30]

Don't let the door hit you in the *** on the way out!

[jl]

Such a classy individual and a real team player. Hope he makes good money for the last few years of his career..I'll never forget the big goal against Detroit in 95 Cup Finals..Good luck SARGE!

[Chris]

It's a sad day to see Sarge leave, thanks for all the hard work Sarge and best of luck with St. Petersburg.

[MoonDragn]

So sad, but I think it was the best decision for him. He's right, if he played that badly again the next year he won't even get an offer.

[Salvatore from Garfield]

Spoken like a true gentleman. Despite his lackluster game last season, I'm going to miss him. I hope he has a great season in Russia.

[Gunther]

Another player who was treated to the full enchilada of devils "loyalty". Fisted! At least it comes with a happy ending in Russia for Sarge. Thanks for all the memories, we'll miss you. But the team couldn't afford another season from him.

[Scott731]

@ Gunther - What could you have possibly expected the Devils to do for Brylin? You even say the team couldn't have another season of Brylin but you also seem to think the team screwed him over, which is it?

[Mark]

Much love for Sarge but it was time for a change. Thanks for all the effort and memories--you will always be a Devil.

[Hoosier]

Especially if Sarge was looking for another year, it was time to part ways and move on. I'll miss him, I was always a huge fan and Devils fans will never forget his contributions over a terrific career.

Not sure why jdr30 would have any kind of animosity towards him. He gave 110% night in and night out.

[VinnyC]

"But I think it's going to be tough to find a team when you're 37."

Such an ironic quote, considering all the offers Rolston got at 35.

[JJ]

People who don't know hockey look at his numbers and don't realize his value to the team over the years. Class act all the way!

[jules]

Very glad for Sarge. Best of luck to him and his family in Russia. He was always a hard worker, did everything that was asked of him, scored some gutsy goals, and quite selfishly, I'm happy that he did not sign with another NHL team so we can always remember him as a Devil. Class act.

[Peter]

So where can I get a SKA St. Petersburg jersey with Brylin's name on it?

[Sarah]

Definitely sad to see him go -- one of my all-time favorite Devils. I wish him all the best in Russia.

[devils95]

Brylin has always been a class act. Good luck to him and to his family on the next part of his journey. As always it comes down to being a business which has no room for loyalty. It is and always will be a business first, and it should always be.

[KB]

I'm truly upset to see him go. I hoped at the end they'd pay him something for a two year deal, even if he didnt play every game. He had so much to teach our younger players.
And I agree with Gunther.
And that's more so pointed at the fans then anyone. All the posts about hoping Brylin would just go away. His best years are gone, but he was on all three cup teams. He deserved more loyalty from US.

[Nick Georginow]

Hope to see #18 raised to the rafters.

[95Crash]

Aside from just a handful of people, for the past 13 or 14 years the Devils have had a reputation of fielding a team of nameless, faceless players, all sacrificing themselves and individual accomplishments for the greater good of team glory.

But the fact is -- each and every Devils player does have a name, and each one does have a face.

And now, after 13 seasons, another of the "good ones" is leaving.

Thanks for the memories, Sarge. You will always be a "New Jersey Devil." Best of luck to you and yours!!!

[qsurf99]

regardless of his stats, Sergei was a member of the team for 13 seasons and a key contributor to all 3 championship teams. It would be a travesty if his number doesn't get retired to the rafters

[Jason]

Cmon man. A great Devil, but retired jersey? Not a chance. The next, and probably last for a while will be #30. We can't just give these away.

[Scott Kocienda]

Hey TG,

If you ever hear from Sarge again please let him know how important he is to us fans. It's sad to see him go and we appreciate all he has done and wish him only the very best. He really was our solider. Good Luck Sarge.

Scott Kocienda.

[JerseyPunk]

Thanks for the dedication Sarge! The hardcore devils fans appreciate your loyalty throughout your career here and know just how important you were to this TEAM and winning the 3 cups. Best of luck in Russia. You're always welcome in Jersey!

[mikeP]

Best of luck to Sarge on his career in Russia, and hope that he comes back to the organization as scout or coach when he retires. Sarge was always a class act, and was always willing to do what was asked of him without complaint, every team needs soldiers (no pun intended) like Sarge

I highly doubt #18 gets retired, when you have other former Devils like MacLean, Driver, Resch, Broten, Muller, etc who meant a lot to the organization but have yet to have their # retired. But at least he deserved, along with the others mentioned, a night of recognition by the club

[Pete]

I agree with others who posted here, Sarge was a class guy, who played where he was told to and all without complaint. He was a great utility player who gave you his all no matter where you played him. I hope the Devil's do NOT issue his number to anyone else and I will be at the Rock the night they honor him and RETIRE his jersey. Good luck Sarge!