Devils Recall Goaltender Cory Schneider

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The New Jersey Devils have recalled goaltender Cory Schneider. 

Schneider hasn't played in the NHL since Jan. 18, where he allowed four goals on 17 shots. He was sent down to the Binghampton Devils, New Jersey's AHL affiliate. The 33-year-old appeared in 14 games for Binghamton, posting a .903 save percentage and seven wins. 

Schneider's month-long stint was his second demotion of the season. In November, Schneider was placed on waivers for the purpose of assignment. 

“It is what it is," Schneider told NJ Advance Media's Chris Ryan in December. "You have to make the practices count and just come down and enjoy the game, try to have fun with it. Enjoy being on the ice and getting into a game, just try to get your rhythm and your mojo back, try to feel good about yourself.

He would later return to New Jersey for three games in January before he ended up back in the AHL. He allowed eight goals on 54 shots, losing two of his starts. 

Devils goalie Cory SchneiderUSA TODAY Images

Schneider has two more years left on his current deal, which expires following the 2022-23 season. He'll be 36 years old when he becomes an unrestricted free agent, meaning the Devils will weigh the decision whether to move forward with Blackwood.  

According to team reporter Amanda Stein, Schneider will serve as a backup to goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood against San Jose on Tuesday. With the trade deadline approaching next Monday, the Devils held goaltender Louis Domingue out for precautionary reasons. 

"Felt like my game stayed pretty level in Binghamton," Schneider told reporters Tuesday. "I'm feeling pretty good about things right now so it's up to me — another opportunity here to make the most of it and play as best I can for the guys down the stretch here. I'm excited to be back with the group and back in the NHL again."

New Jersey has already begun to embrace its role as "sellers" at the deadline. On Sunday, interim general manager Tom Fitzgerald shipped captain Andy Greene to the Islanders and forward Blake Coleman to the Lightning in exchange for a couple of prospects and draft picks.

Forwards Wayne Simmonds and Kyle Palmieri continue to be subject to trade rumors, but the Devils are likely to trade the former, according to TSN's Rick Dhaliwal.